"The Strays" By Emily Bitto

Emily Bitto's debut novel, "The Strays," tells the story of Lily, a young girl who is drawn into the eccentric and bohemian world of Eva and her family. Set in Melbourne, Australia, in the 1930s, the novel explores themes of art, creativity, and the blurred boundaries between childhood and adulthood.At the heart of the novel is the relationship between Lily and Eva, the youngest daughter of the Trentham family. Eva is captivating and free-spirited, and she introduces Lily to a world of art and creativity that she has never experienced before. Lily is immediately drawn to Eva's energy and passion, and she becomes a regular fixture in the Trentham household.As Lily becomes more involved in Eva's life, she begins to understand the complexity of the Trentham family dynamic. Eva's father, Evan, is a successful artist who has created a colony of bohemian artists in his home. Eva's mother, Helena, is a socialite who is more concerned with appearances than with her children's welfare. And Eva's older sisters, Bea and Heloise, are struggling to find their own identities in the shadow of their father's success.Bitto's writing is rich and atmospheric, and she creates a vivid portrait of the Trentham household. The house is described as a "rambling old mansion," filled with "canvases stacked up against the walls, paints and brushes scattered on every surface, half-finished sculptures and sketches." The Trentham family is portrayed as a group of outsiders, living on the fringes of society and rejecting conventional norms and values.The novel explores the tension between creativity and responsibility, as well as the idea that art can both liberate and destroy. Eva and her family are consumed by their art, and their obsession with creativity leads them to neglect their responsibilities and relationships. Lily is caught between her admiration for Eva's artistic spirit and her growing awareness of the destructive consequences of the Trenthams' lifestyle.Bitto also explores the theme of memory and nostalgia, as the novel is told from the perspective of an older Lily, looking back on her childhood experiences. Lily's memories are infused with a sense of longing for a time and a place that no longer exist. She describes the Trentham household as a "golden world," a place of freedom and creativity that she can never return to.Overall, "The Strays" is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of art, creativity, and the complexities of human relationships. Bitto's writing is evocative and poetic, and she creates a vivid and memorable portrait of a unique and unforgettable family.