Margo Lanagan is known for her alternative fiction titles. Her collection of short stories in ‘black juice’ and its ’singing my sister down’ intrigued many readers and caused much discussion. Tender morsels is a dark strange novel, weaving folktale with brutal reality. Teenage mother Liga, abused by her father and others, escapes to her own alternate world, only to be followed by wild bears and other dangers that threaten her safety. From there, the reader is drawn into a rich, original story that sometimes cloaks itself in the familiar but is at its heart deeply strange in the best possible way.
Liga raises her two daughters gentle Branza and curious Urrda in her alternate world where people are not no mean, those that have done her harm no longer exist, everyone smiles and is content. The violence and prejudice that had made their mother’s life unendurable have disappeared. However as her daughters grow the real world cannot be denied forever. They befriend and develop feelings for the mysterious wild bears when they appear. Not long after Urrda disappears, she has crossed over to the real world, how will she survive, how do they reunite, these are Liga’s fears for their life in this world. What is the significance of bear day in this real world and how does it relate to the bears from Liga’s heaven? This book is truly fascinating, different, original and not predictable, I couldn’t put if down.
Suitable for Yr 11 and 12
Unusual themes
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