Author(s): Saba Sams

Short Stories

'Saba Sams is a fresh new voice in fiction, wry and sharp and raw' EMMA CLINE'

I still remember where I was when I first encountered a Saba Sams story ... A highly perceptive and intelligent writer' NICOLE FLATTERY

'A seriously impressive debut. Saba Sams digs into the chaos, euphoria and menace of sexual attraction, friendship and family with bravery and wit. The balance her prose strikes between observation and empathy is remarkable, and its rhythms irresistible' CHRIS POWER

A motherless teenage girl, daughter of the town butcher, falls into a relationship with a much older boy, but realises she'd rather have the love of his dog. A directionless university student is taken up by beautiful, chaotic party girl Lara, who moves right into her bed and slowly destroys her life. An uneasy holiday in paradise for two reluctant stepsisters turns into a war of attrition as they compete for the affections of a charismatic interloper. Dragged along by their mums to a music festival, two teenage girls pursue experience over the course of one weekend.

Strange and arresting, dirty but shining, the girls of Saba Sams's extraordinary debut collection traverse girlhood and womanhood in all its glorious complications. Negotiating absent mothers, intense friendships, wanting and fearing being desired, her characterss are brought to life with striking wit, originality and tenderness.