In an unprecedented first for the show - documentary filmmaker, criminologist and novelist, Cassandra Austin, chatted with me today, all the way from the U.S. of A., about her 3rd novel, ‘Like Mother’.

Topics discussed include:

- The novel’s setting, Bennelong, how a small township causes big problems with its treatment of its denizens. How the stain of a tragedy can affect oneself and their treatment in a town, for life.

- The decision to set the novel in the 60s and how Cassandra went about bringing it all to life. The subtlety of the referencing and references, illustrating everything nicely for the reader.

- The opinions people form of others (and refuse to change). How oftentimes they have a serious disconnect, or inaccuracy to the way people perceive themselves or who they know themselves to be. Delving into this human condition being featured on a grand scale (the town vs the central characters) and a narrowed one (the family members views of each other at the novel’s core).

- The common, but seldom depicted familial relationships at the novel’s centre – a mother’s devotion that can, at face value, appear dysfunctional to fanatic, yet throughout the course of the story, show clear elements of true love and devotion. The inherent difficulties in creating such realistic and complex relationships and dynamics.

- The pitfalls and challenges faced with the creation of the central character, Louise, both within the writing of her and her admittedly bizarre behaviour and getting it ‘right’.

- An overview of Cassandra’s career thus far, including some of the serious writerly trials she’s faced and prevailed over to keep penning her novels.

- And much more!

Thank you again to Cassandra for talking to me all the way from the U.S. today, you can pick up your copy of ‘Like Mother’ from the good folks at Penguin Random House, here:

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/like-mother-9781760895556#:~:text=Secrets%2C%20lies%20and%20crying%20babies,won't%20leave%20her%20alone.