Although I was provided an arc via NetGalley I read a final copy that I purchased. This review is for the published edition of the book.

Identity, family and the truth.

It’s impossible to write a review about this book without blurring what I know about it behind the scenes. After attending two events and listening to the author talk at length about the themes and her drive behind them, nothing I can say here will do this book any justice.

I’ve tried to write an actual review multiple times but I just keep deleting it. Everything feels empty compared to how the book made me feel. Just read it.

Alli Parker’s Until the Red Leaves Fall is a beautifully written exploration of hidden histories, identity, and the price of truth. Told in dual timelines - set against the glittering backdrop of 1950s Australian theatre and the harsh reality of an internment camp twelve years earlier - this novel explores agency, love and the weight of expectation.

Through Emmy Darling, whose real name is Emiko Tanaka, Parker shines a light on Japanese internment in Australia during the Second World War. I was struck by how little I knew of this chapter of Australia’s past, and Parker handles it with both sensitivity and power, blending fact and fiction into a narrative that feels both urgent and timeless.

At its heart, this is a story about belonging: who gets to tell their story, how much truth must be sacrificed for acceptance, and what courage it takes to finally claim one’s voice. Emmy’s struggles with secrecy, loyalty, and ambition are relatable, even as the shadows of her past add powerful weight to her choices.

This is a phenomenally powerful novel. So extremely well-written, with characters that jump off the page, an emotional impact like a sucker punch and plenty of tension to keep you hooked on the plot.

Emmy's story flows from her internment as a teenager to her disenfranchisement as an adult. Following her as she battles the racism, misogyny and homophobia that is levelled at her and those she loves is harrowing, infuriating and powerful.

This novel tackles some very heavy subject matter - the internment and deportation of innocent Japanese people during the war, gay men being arrested for existing, women trapped in lives where they have no agency or freedom, white women co-opting the stories of women of colour for their own gain. And yet, through it all, Parker maintains a thread of hope. Emmy is, despite everything she's been through, optimistic. She reaches for her future and you cheer her on towards it.

This novel is an emotional one, spotlighting an often overlooked episode of Australia's history, and I am grateful to have read it.

My favourite thing about this book was the characters. The author's characters are fully realised, with depth and humanity in even the smallest of players. I loved them hard and loathed them harder.

I cannot recommend this book enough. There is history, if you like that. Romance, if that's your thing. Coming of age and family and art.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Until the Red Leaves Fall is set across two timelines; the vibrant 1950s theatre scene in Melbourne and the Tatura Internment Camps during World War II

Emmy (Emiko) is a dutiful wife who frequently helps her husband Sebastian rewrite scenes when he’s working on one of his plays. Having longed to be a playwright herself Emmy jumps at the chance to write her own play telling the story of her family’s experience as Japanese-Australians being held in an internment camp during the war.

Theatre owner and lead actress Virginia van Belle makes so many changes to Emmy’s play it no longer resembles her family’s story and is instead full of racial stereotypes and inaccuracies. Devastated at the damage the play will do to her family, while also chafing at societal expectations, Emmy turns to her new friend Isadora for solace.

This was a really interesting multilayered story and I found Emmy to be a sympathetic and engaging character. The flashbacks slowly revealed more of Emmy’s past and the sacrifices she made as she strives to achieve an identity beyond that as somebody’s wife.

Until the Red Leaves Fall does a great job at shining a light on migrant Australians and the injustices done to them because of their ethnicity. The side characters in this book added depth to the storyline, particularly the forbidden love and found family aspects of the story.

This story touches on themes of race, gender and sexuality in the 1950s. There are twists and turns with betrayals and secrets revealed amid shifting relationships. Both time periods are written in a way that I was immersed in the storyline and I didn’t want to stop reading until the book was finished!

Until the Red Leaves Fall
by Alli Parker

Set against the backdrop of two poignant timelines, **Until the Red Leaves Fall** unfolds within the confines of the Tatura Internment Camps during World War II and later immerses readers in the vibrant theatre scene of 1957 Melbourne. This compelling novel weaves a narrative rich with secrets, betrayal, and the struggle for identity, delving deep into the themes of multiculturalism and the quest for self-discovery.

At the heart of the story is Emiko Tanaka, a resilient 14-year-old girl whose life is irrevocably altered when she and her family are unjustly arrested and sent to an internment camp following the bombing of Pearl Harbour. Parker meticulously chronicles the harrowing experiences of Japanese detainees during and after WWII, shedding light on the racial injustices inflicted upon countless individuals solely based on their ancestry and appearance. This aspect of Australian history is vital yet often overlooked, and the novel serves as an important reminder of this dark chapter.

Emiko, later known as Emmy, emerges as a strong female lead who tirelessly strives to carve out her own identity amidst the societal expectations of the 1950s. Despite being recognised primarily as the wife of Sebastian, a promising playwright in Melbourne's theatre circles, Emmy's journey as a wordsmith reflects her desire to transcend conventional roles of motherhood and domesticity. Her character is a beacon of strength and determination, navigating the complexities of love, loyalty, and ambition.

The intricate relationships among Emmy, Isadore, Sebastian, and Virginia are layered with history, tragedy, and love, capturing the essence of a tumultuous era. Parker vividly portrays the intersection of personal struggles and societal challenges, allowing readers to feel as though they have stepped directly into the vibrant yet fraught Melbourne of the 1950s. This novel not only captivates with its emotional depth but also honours the resilience of those who lived through these trying times.

Alli Parker’s latest novel is an eye opening story about identity and how our past experiences shape who we become. Emmy/Emiko is a beautiful character and I love how she develops throughout the story. She starts almost ashamed of her background and cultural heritage and as she starts to unpack the trauma of her childhood through writing her play, we see her grow as she embraces her past and shares her history with Isadora.

This was not a part of Australian history that I knew about so I found it interesting to learn as I was reading. Australia as a country prides itself on its multiculturalism but often hides behind the history and the racism that lead to what we have today. I really enjoyed Alli’s take on this and how she chose to tell this story.

This book reminded me a lot of Yellowface (Rebecca F. Kuang), not so much in the content but that it explores similar themes of trauma and who is equipped to share these stories.

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers Australia, NetGalley and the author for my copy of this book in exchange for a review

Disclaimer - I love a book set in Melbourne, especially a Melbourne I know from the recesses of my memory. So, Until the Red Leaves Fall was always going to be a winner in my eyes. And it was.

The story of Emmy, Isadore, Sebastian and Virginia is full of history, tragedy, love and betrayal. It shines a light on the story of Japanese detainees during and after WWII and the injustices that were brought against so many people because of their ancestry or the way they looked. Such an important part of Australian history that we don't talk about nearly enough. But the book also illuminates the injustices felt by people who, for reasons beyond comprehension, found themselves on the outsides of community.

Emmy Darling is a wordsmith in her own right, but as the wife of Sebastian - a playwright in the Melbourne theatre scene - she will always be considered a wife and potential mother. When Emmy is given the opportunity to put her own voice to the story of her family, she believes what she is writing will change people's ideas and perceptions. But she doesn't understand the true motives of Virginia van Belle - the matron of the Belleview Theatre - and what lengths people will go to in order to preserve their reputations and public personas.

Such a great read. AGAIN with not having half stars NetGalley!. 4.5/5!!!

Until The Red Leaves Fall elegantly tackles racism, homophobia and the status of women in a 1950s setting. These issues are communicated within the story and without over-explaining and exposition: Parker respects her readers' intelligence and is confident that her own skill as a writer will do the work. And it lands. The characters are well-developed and the setting realistic. Parker has done her research and it shows.

As soon as I started reading this, I could not put it down!

The beautiful, vivid writing really places you into the story and takes you on a journey you do not expect. The harsh realities of the not-so-distant path are told with such delicacy.

I love a theatre story, and this one is very different to any I have read before. Of course, that is only part of the story.
This story... It's one you will think about long after you turn the last page.

I enjoyed Alli Parker’s first book ‘At The Foot of the Cherry Tree’ and was looking forward to her second one.
It was a wonderful story that grabs your attention so you have to keep reading to find out what happens.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A story set across two timelines, from the Tatura Internment Camps during World War II, to the 1957 theatre scene in Melbourne. This is a moving story of with secrets and betrayal, the fight for truth over sensationalism, creative aspirations, cultural conflict and prejudice, and the trauma and impact of war. Emiko, or Emmy, the protagonist was created with a mellow power that grows from strength to strength as the story progresses. Her past is always on the line, as is the potential her secrets to be revealed, like her name, and her background, significant because in World War II, her family were treated as the enemy in the Australian war camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. As Emmy, she played the perfect Australian wife, and the woman people don’t want to know as being Japanese. Yet this was her story, one that could make her look like a fraud, even to herself.
The tie-in of the theatre scene in the late 1950s complemented Emmy's story. The whole idea of writing a play to understand her own identity that would be acted out by others as part of a storytelling process was clever. The conflict to hide that truth within a much more sensationalised and dramatized story was a true reflection on the way many post war migrants his their nationality and ethnicity because of their desire to assimilate into Australian society, to alleviate fears of discrimination, or to avoid scrutiny. It was also a great tie in to the author’s own skills as a script editor into the machinations of this story.
My only criticism in reading this book was having to use a book platform called Thorium. I hope that #harpercollins reconsiders the use of this platform and goes back to allowing people to either download a kindle or a general e-pub version. My copy of this book was locked and I wasn't able to dive into it again which was so disappointing.

“What happens when you let the truth get in the way of a good story?”
This beautifully written historical fiction explores that very question with tenderness, grace, and unflinching honesty.

Set in post-war Australia, Until the Red Leaves Fall follows Emmy Darling. Play write, editor, and woman with a carefully guarded past. Behind her polished life is Emiko Tanaka, a Japanese-Australian woman whose family was torn apart by wartime internment. When a larger-than-life theatre director demands Emmy write her own story for the stage, Emmy is forced to confront truths she’s spent years hiding.

I was completely drawn into Emmy’s world. She’s quietly bold, layered, and achingly real, one of those rare characters who stays with you. I also found Isadora captivating a defiant, magnetic presence who challenges expectations of 1950s womanhood in the most intriguing way.

Alli Parker has crafted a poignant and powerful story that unfolds at a perfect pace. It’s emotional, rich with historical detail, and deeply human. I’d especially recommend this to fans of historical fiction who enjoy stories set in Australia and those interested in untold perspectives of World War II and its aftermath.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Alli Parker for the opportunity to read this early.

Alli Parker delivers a powerful, emotionally rich story about truth, identity, and the cost of silence in this beautifully layered historical novel set against the glamour and grit of 1950s Melbourne theatre.

Emmy Darling, or rather Emiko Tanaka, is a character who will stay with me for a long time. Her struggle to protect her story while navigating a world eager to rewrite it feels heartbreakingly real. From the trauma of WWII internment camps to the pressure of performing whiteness and femininity in post-war Australia, Emmy’s journey is one of quiet resistance and hard-earned courage.

Parker’s prose is evocative yet precise, her characters nuanced, and the themes of racism, creative control, queer identity, and personal truth are handled with both grace and fire. The sapphic romance with Isadora adds depth and warmth, while the theatre setting shimmers with tension and possibility.

This is a novel that doesn't just tell history, it challenges who gets to write it. Honest, heartfelt, and fiercely resonant, Until the Red Leaves Fall is a standout. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction that dares to tell the stories often left untold.

REALLLLLLLY wanted to read this one and clicked request before checking available formats ... not compatible to Kobo :(

'It was easier to become invisible behind a name no one looked twice at, or stumbled over the pronunciation of. Easier to hide her history behind a European assumption that having to explain herself or justify who she was...'.

Emiko Tanaka was just 14 years old when she and her family were arrested and sent to an internment camp, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. They weren't the only ones. Anyone with an iota of Japanese blood, even those born and bred in Australia for generations, were scooped up and deemed enemies of the state for the duration of the WW2. After their release, Emikio decided it was easier to go by Emmy and the fact that she didn't particularly look Japanese helped the assumption that she was just another Aussie. However, just over a decade on, when Emmy is offered an opportunity to tell her family's story on the stage, she finds that no one is interested in the truth, 'We don't want to imply you are a fully Japanese writer. Some people won't take kindly to that', just sensationalism. She needs to decide if she is really Emmy or Emiko.

I enjoyed not only learning more about this aspect of WW2 but also exploring the ideas of prejudice, being honest with ourselves and forming an identity in the face of judgement. The story also brings up a good point of history increasingly being synthesised for entertainment, allowing the facts to slowly be erased with each new version. 'Until the Red Leaves Fall' is an interesting historical fiction story that touches on a number of, sadly, still contemporary topics around accepting differences.

'To be different, to act differently...it frightens the people who have always done as they've been told'.

When the Red Leaves Fall is such a beautifully written novel.
Alli does an incredible job of bringing her stories to life, making you feel for the characters and immersing you with her words.
I really enjoyed Emmy’s story, I loved that she’s portrayed as such a strong woman who can overcome anything, despite what she’s been through. She’s a role model type character. I can’t wait to see what Alli brings out next. This is the second book I’ve read by her and I’ve loved both with equal measure. She’s an incredible author, a wonderful storyteller.

I am not sure what I was most excited about… the upcoming release of another book by @alliparkerwriter, my first ever NetGalley approval, the absolutely stunning book cover or a story partially set in my birthplace and a period of history that touched my family too? (see comments ⬇️) I can however, tell you that this was a book I simply could not put down - yes! it was an overnight read and will quite possibly become your newest historical fiction/romance obsession too!
The story is set across two timelines - the internment camps in Australia during WWII and the theatre scene of Melbourne in 1957 and told through the eyes of the main character Emmy Darling. Emmy’s story is plagued by wartime trauma, secrets, creative ambitions and betrayal all while trying to discover her own identity. I loved the character portrayal of Emmy, there was something both gentle & fierce within her and as the story evolved we saw her strength and resilience shine through. This is a book that ticked so much of what I enjoy in storytelling, characters and settings with so much depth that they become alive & vivid within your mind along with beautifully told stories of female friendships and the love of family.
Until the Red Leaves Fall
is available to pre-order now and will be released 29th July 2025 🌸🌸 I know when you see this pretty cover on your bookstore shelves it is going to be hard to resist… it’s a stunner!
Thank you @harpercollinsaustralia for the privilege of reading an advance copy of Until the Red Leaves Fall. #chattingbookswithchris #thecoverartmatters #australianhistoricalfiction #aussieauthorsupporter #bookreviews #the2025readingchallengeforme #untiltheredleavesfall #aussiereader #historicalfiction

Ali is back with another fascinating novel exploring the role of the Japanese and mixed races in Australia in World War II. This time she takes the reader into internment camps during the war and the theatre world in Melbourne after it is over. Both eras were fascinating parts of history I wasn’t aware of and loved learning more about. Parker’s research was evident- you really got a feel both time periods, locations and societal norms and issues of the time. Her writing was so vibrant that you felt like you were there with all the characters.

The story of two women, the main protagonist Emmy Darling is married to a playwright and often helps her husband with his plays. She was such an engaging and complex character, with so many secrets. Virginia van Belle is one of the leading a Reese’s of the time and owns her own theater. Beneath all the glamour, things are not as glitzy as seem. Virginia task Emmy to write a play based on her family’s experiences of being interned during the war. Emmy writes with passion and truth and soon sees her script and family story changed into something quite different- a very sanitized story full of racial stereotypes and is forced to hide behind a pseudonym, pretending to be male to entice theatre goers. She seeks solace at The Lough, inspired by a real place where she finds the support, friendship and love of Isadora.

A multilayered story exploring resilience, forbidden love, queer romance, gender norms and racism. It was such a gripping read, I didn’t want to put it down. I didn’t think Ali would be able to top her debut novel At the Foot of the Cherry Tree but she certainly exceeded expectations. Definitely take the time to meet Emmy, Virginia and enter the world of the Belleview Theatre.

You know how sometimes when you finish a book, you struggle to find the words to describe it?
That happens as I think of Until The Red Leaves Fall.

There was just so much to love about this story. So much depth, heartbreak, hope and love, that I’m really struggling to begin my review.
I guess I’ll start by trying to sum up the synopsis without spoiling it.

It follows Emmy Darling (Emiko Tanaka) an Australian born Japanese woman, who wishes to write, rather than fill the role of housewife and mother with an Australian Playwright. She’s finally given an opportunity to follow her passion when Virginia van Belle offers her a contract to write her latest play. Finally Emmy is given the stage to tell her family’s story, but just as Emmy begins to feel seen for who she is and what she’s lived through, the plot twists and turns, her life unravelling around her. Right at this moment we learn one last truth about her time in the Internment Camp that is truly heartbreaking, leading us to a grand finale.

I feel like nothing l can say will properly give this book justice. It’s just perfect, and I simply loved reading it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely best seller material!

A beautiful and original book set in Melbourne in the late 1950s. I’ll admit it took me a little to get into this book, because there were some fairly unlikeable characters and I wasn’t enjoying how the main character was being treated. But as she found new friends, a new purpose and new love, and shared more of her story of being in an internment camp during WWII.

Highly recommended.