This is Not a Lie
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Pub Date Apr 1 2021 | Archive Date Nov 16 2022
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Description
In 1984, St Kilda is the heart and soul of Melbourne’s thriving music scene. Joel Reed, a brilliant young guitarist and songwriter, followed his sister Karen to the bohemian beachside suburb to chase his dream of becoming a rock star. On the surface, it seems like Joel has got it all together. He’s in an up-and-coming rock ‘n’ roll band and is surrounded by people who want to see him succeed. However, Joel is also a high-functioning heroin addict and closet homosexual. Desperately lonely and dangerously self-destructive, he hides his true self, lives a carefully constructed lie, lest he be discovered, outed, and shunned by the city’s legion of hard rock fans.
When the band is forced to audition for a new frontman, Joel’s world is turned upside down. Harry Engel, offbeat, charming, and disarmingly charismatic, walks into the rehearsal room to audition and rocks Joel’s carefully constructed world. Joel’s never met anyone like him before – and it’s not long before he falls in love. However, there’s no way he can tell Harry how he feels. There’s no way he can’t tell anyone how he feels. He can’t do anything to jeopardise the band’s success. And so, he lives the carefully constructed lie – until tragedy strikes and threatens end Joel once and for all.
Advance Praise
"Farrow’s writing is assured, her prose elegant, and the characterization first-rate. Her descriptive eye lends beauty and authenticity to the multilayered, complex narrative. Through Joel’s story, Farrow examines LGBT issues during 80s, substance abuse and drug addiction, the ramifications of one's actions, love, impulsiveness, and how the person one chooses to be with can impact not only one's own individuality but also the family and friends.
Farrow has crafted a devastating, thoroughly engrossing story."
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9781913680039 |
| PRICE | A$9.04 (AUD) |
Available to Buy
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Featured Reviews
Glenda M, Reviewer
Joel is the lead singer of an up and coming rock band in the Australian music scene of 1984. But his closeted lifestyle and heroin addiction may lead to the downfall of the band, as well as himself. Farrow does a wonderful job of recreating the early '80's, from the heavy rock bands trying to make it big to the growing fear of the rapidly spreading AIDS virus. While drug addiction is a major focal point, the homophobia depicted that was rampant at the time is truly heartbreaking. Highly recommend.
E B, Reviewer
Wowser! Rounded up to 4.5 stars!
I was completely drawn into the story of Joel, founding member and guitarist in a band which is trying to secure a recording contract in the early 1980's. Joel is also a heroin addict and closet homosexual in an era when it was still stigmatised. He knows that for the band to have any chance of success he can't be outed as gay, but he's drawn to the band's new charismatic and talented front man, Harry Engels.
The music scene and the struggles of the band drip with authenticity. I can't comment on the drug usage but it certainly seemed authentic too. The ups and downs of Joel and the band and his long-suffering but dedicated sister, Karen, who is also the band's manager, absolutely hooked me.
I was rooting for this band and every step of the way!
Nicole B, Reviewer
This book deals with some heavy issues and personally, I think it did it well. It shows a lot of the nitty-gritty horror of addiction which might be a heavy topic to deal with for some readers. The relationship is there, but not as heavily as the addiction storyline is, really. Read for the characters first and the relationship as an afterthought.
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