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The Rain Heron

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The Rain Heron

By: Robbie Arnott
Narrated by: Jessica Douglas-Henry, Zoe Carides
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About this listen

Ren lives alone on the remote frontier of a country devastated by a coup. High on the forested slopes, she survives by hunting and trading - and forgetting. But when a young soldier comes to the mountains in search of a local myth, Ren is inexorably drawn into her impossible mission. As their lives entwine, unravel and erupt - as myths merge with reality - both Ren and the soldier are forced to confront what they regret, what they love and what they fear.

Robbie Arnott’s stunning second novel remakes our relationship with the natural world. The Rain Heron is equal parts horror and wonder and utterly gripping.

Shortlisted, Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize (for Flames), United Kingdom, 2019

Shortlisted, Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Fiction (for Flames), 2019

Longlisted, Indie Book Awards for Debut Fiction (for Flames), 2019

Shortlisted, UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing, NSW Premier's Literary Awards (for Flames), 2019

Shortlisted, Queensland Literary Awards: University of Queensland Fiction Book Award (for Flames), 2018

Shortlisted, Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction (for Flames), 2018

Shortlisted, Katheen Mitchell Award, 2019

Longlisted, ALS Gold Medal, 2019

Longlisted, Miles Franklin Literary Award, 2019

Shortlisted, Tasmania Book Prize, Premier's Literary Awards, 2019

Shortlisted, Margaret Scott Prize, Premier's Literary Awards, 2019

Longlisted, Voss Literary Prize, 2019

©2020 Robbie Arnott (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd Absurdist Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature

Critic Reviews

"Robbie Arnott is singlehandedly reinventing Australian literature. The Rain Heron is a soaring feat of the imagination." (Bram Presser)

"The Rain Heron is exquisite. It is both fantastical and deeply true." (Jane Rawson)

"The Rain Heron is genuinely and completely magnificent - a magical thing." (Robert Lukins)
All stars
Most relevant
I thoroughly enjoyed the book which was so different and intriguing. It joins the early related lives seamlessly.
I was a little disappointed with the conclusion but it does open itself up for analysis and discussion.

Interesting Concepts

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Narration was excellent. I really enjoyed the descriptive writing, I could smell the smells and feel the feels. Brilliant, uncomfortable, painful and sickening in parts. But also some uplifting, redemptive moments. Well paced, a bit sparing.
I wanted more of all of it, more of the rain heron, more of Ren and Daniel and Zoe. Overall it was thought provoking and melancholic. I really enjoyed it, highly recommend!

Beautiful writing, rich and lyrical.

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Wow! 2nd novel I have read by Robbie Arnott-simply brilliant.
Lyrical , compelling , brutal , uplifting, fanciful but believable -what a voice this young man has.
I wanted more.
Cannot wait to see what he produces next.
Talent in bucket loads.

Storyteller of immense talent.

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loved this book. beautifully written superbly read. distressing as the reason for the story unfolds but so poetic in parts that I had to continue.

fantastic work

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The authors play on words and descriptions took on the journey in the story. Narration was brilliant and is perfect for this story.

Beautiful

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