Description: After 12 years trapped in a serpent, a girl escapes. She returns to her village naked with a monstrous snakeskin trailing behind her. One decision at a time, she reclaims her life. Each character she encounters-brute, healer, orphan, mystic, lover-reflects an unhealed aspect of herself and plots her recovery through symbolic milestones.
Brief description: Based in Queensland, Australia and Rhode Island, USA, Lauren Elise Daniels launched her career with Ziff-Davis Publishing in Boston after attaining her BA in Creative Writing from Fairfield University. She completed her MFA at Emerson College with Andre Dubus III, Sam Cornish and M.G. Stephens. A senior editor, Lauren has edited over 70 titles of fiction and non-fiction, developing the work of celebrated international authors. Her writing has appeared in commercial and literary sources since 1987, commencing with first prize in the Newport Poetry Contest. Lauren has served as a literary panelist, judge and mentor and directs the Brisbane Writers Workshop. This manuscript shortlisted with the international Half the World Global Literati Award 2016, ranking 4th in the top 40 for the People's Choice Award. Serpent's Wake is her first novel.
Review Quotes:
A tale that weaves around your heart in your darkest times...and points to the greatest lesson of all--that in suffering lies freedom.
- Erin L. Cash, Former Queensland Police Detective
It snarls and hisses at categorization, but will etch itself onto the minds and souls of anyone discerning enough to lose themselves
in its embrace.
- J.M. Donellan, Killing Adonis
A mythic voyage full of wry humor and shy romance that recalls the fantasies of Ursula K. Le Guin.
- Guy Salvidge, The Kingdom of Four Rivers
The best fiction I've read since Keri Hulme's Booker Prize winner,
The Bone People.
- Russell Darnley, Order of Australia Medalist