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First Year

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First Year

By: Kristina Ross
Narrated by: Sonya Kerr
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At seventeen, Maeve is naively single-minded about pursuing a life in the theatre. After a rigorous audition process, she secures a position at one of the most competitive drama schools in the country. Leaving behind the security of her childhood home in Queensland, Maeve moves to Melbourne and devotes herself to the course.

The expectations of the faculty are made clear from the outset: to avoid failure, the process must be adhered to without question and, as the youngest student at the drama, Maeve knows she must gain life experience in order to support it. With the encouragement of her new classmates, Maeve explores the darker pockets of her personality, disastrously blurring the line between the characters she must play and herself.

For listeners of Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney, Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler and Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors, First Year is a deeply intelligent and insightful exploration of creativity and performance, marking the entry of an audacious new literary talent.

‘Captures the high stakes, the intense competition, the vulnerability of the characters very well.' Caroline Overington, The Australian

‘An assured and elegant debut.' Kate Adams, Collins, Thirroul

©2024 Kristina Ross (P)2024 W. F. Howes ltd. Coming of Age Genre Fiction Women's Fiction
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What I liked most about First Year was that it took me into a world (life of an actor) that is completely alien to me, but managed to convey this in way that was relatable and intriguing. The writing is punchy and yet romantic. At the same time it manages to intelligently touch on issues of nepotism, exploitation, harassment, jealousy and fear of failure in a way that is entertaining and thought provoking.

Adventure into the unknown

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I was captivated by this story! The characters are complex yet familiar and the rigour of becoming an actor is showcased so enthrallingly.

The process.

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Tad bit confusing to read but WOW this book is amazing as someone who wants to move to Melbourne and get into an acting uni

Woah

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