Words for Lucy

One morning, Lucy Halligan lay on her bed with her cat and went to sleep. Soon after, her heart stopped. But her mother, writer Marion Halligan, forced hers to keep beating.

More joy than sorrow, this profoundly moving memoir celebrates Lucy’s life, weaving together everyday details and treasured events.

Words for Lucy sees Marion at the peak of her writing powers, telling the story of a mother surviving the aftershocks of death and finding the space to live.

Marion Halligan AM is an Australian writer and novelist. She has written twenty-three books, including six works of non-fiction and five short story collections, and one play. She has also served as chair of the Literature Board of the Australia Council and the Australian National Word Festival. She was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM), General Division, in 2006 for services to literature and for her work in promoting Australian writing.