AWW22 Motherhood Express - Alice Pung and Allee Richards

Chaired by Jo Case.


Alice Pung and Allee Richards’ protagonists each find themselves
unexpectedly confronting motherhood. In Alice’s One Hundred Days,
Karuna is just 16 when she falls pregnant and hostage to her
Filipina Chinese mother’s controlling behaviour and general
meanness, even as Grand Mar’s resilience saves them. Allee’s Eva
sees her hopes for a new relationship with Pat dashed when he
dies by suicide, never knowing she was carrying his child. The
pregnancy becomes a catalyst for Eva to transform her life. Both
books are characterised by depth and hope.


Supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.