Lonely Mouth

Matilda works in one of Sydney’s trendiest restaurants, keeps her life neatly contained, and tries not to think too hard about her unreturned feelings for her boss. Across the world, her half-sister Lara lives a glamorous life as a model in Paris. When their estranged father resurfaces with an apology decades too late, the emotional order Matilda’s worked so hard to maintain begins to unravel. Told with wit and tenderness, Lonely Mouth is a richly layered novel about hunger – in all its forms – and the complicated ways women navigate desire, family, and self-worth.

Share your thoughts: How does Lonely Mouth explore the pressures women face around body image and self-worth, and how does Matilda’s journey reflect this struggle?