This Is Not a Lie
Six Strings, Two Men, One Shot
In 1984, St Kilda is the heart and soul of Melbourne’s thriving music scene. Joel Reed, a brilliant young guitarist and songwriter, has followed his sister Karen to the bohemian beachside suburb to chase his dream of becoming a rock star. On the surface, it seems like Joel has got it all together. He’s in an up-and-coming rock ‘n’ roll band and is surrounded by people who want to see him succeed. Desperately lonely and dangerously self-destructive, he lives a carefully constructed lie lest he be discovered, outed, and shunned by the city’s legion of hard rock fans.
When the band is forced to audition for a new frontman, Joel’s world is turned upside down. Harry Engel, the offbeat and disarmingly charismatic vocalist, rocks up to audition and Joel falls in love, but there’s no way he can tell Harry how he feels. He can’t do anything to jeopardise the band’s success, and so he continues living the lie — until tragedy strikes and he realises the lie was never going to save them.
Format: novel
Genre: contemporary fiction/trauma fiction
Pages: 350
Publisher: The Pynk Sphynx
Want more of Joel and the boys?Download Randall Thorpe's interview with The Blackhearts in...
Cheap Shot Magazine
Reviews
OMG I am weeping. I have just finished your wonderful, wonderful book. I could not put it down. I had to read it in one sitting. My god what a powerful story and what a powerful writer you are!
Anonymous - 30/03/2024
Farrow’s writing is assured, her prose elegant, and the characterization first-rate. Her descriptive eye lends beauty and authenticity to the multilayered, complex narrative. Farrow has crafted a devastating, thoroughly engrossing story.
BooksCoffee@Goodreads - 15/11/2020
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Farrow's prose is evocative and compelling, drawing readers into Joel's world with vivid descriptions of the music scene and the atmospheric setting of St Kilda. The author skillfully weaves together the various threads of the narrative, seamlessly blending Joel's personal struggles with the overarching pursuit of musical success.
Sanskrity Jha@Goodreads - 01/07/2023
★★★★★
T.H.I.S. is why I love to read because I feel pretty overwhelmed and moved at the moment. For lack of a better word, let me just say it was freakin' amazing. I think you get me. I found myself floating through the story. Some parts of this book are so incredibly intense and real, I just expected that these two guys would leap right off the pages.
Insha Anam@Goodreads - 18/03/2021
★★★★★
I finished This Is Not A Lie...it was fabulous! I really enjoyed it. It made me laugh & cry and as I lived around that area in the late 70s early 80s, the book brought back lots of memories. Sometimes life was a bit on the edge then, but I met some amazing people who helped shape who I am today in a really good way.
Thank you so much S.C., you write so well. I could see & feel it all, even the ugliness & rawness & of course the beauty. Loved it!!!!! Your really rock!!!
Deb via email - 23/05/2023
Merch
Step into the raw, electric world of This Is Not a Lie with this striking black graphic tee. Featuring an intricate gothic heart dripping in shadowy blues, this design captures the dark romance, heartbreak, and unapologetic truth at the core of Joel Reed’s journey.
Step into the raw, electric world of This Is Not a Lie with this striking black graphic tee. Featuring an intricate gothic heart dripping in shadowy blues, this design captures the dark romance, heartbreak, and unapologetic truth at the core of Joel Reed’s journey. 🎸🤘
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In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and the Torres Straight Islands and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respects to elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
ABN: 19 569 432 238
