Shell

2020 Longlist

In 1965 as Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s striking vision for the Sydney Opera House transforms the skyline and unleashes a storm of controversy, the shadow of the Vietnam War and a deadly lottery threaten to tear the country apart.

Journalist Pearl Keogh, exiled to the women’s pages after being photographed at an anti-war protest, is desperate to find her two missing brothers and save them from the draft. Axel Lindquist, a visionary young glass artist from Sweden, is obsessed with creating a unique work that will do justice to Utzon’s towering masterpiece.

In this big, bold and hauntingly beautiful portrait of art and life, Shell captures a world on the brink of seismic change through the eyes of two unforgettable characters caught in the eye of the storm. And reminds us why taking a side matters.

About the Author

Kristina Olsson is a biographer, journalist and award-winning author. Her second novel, The China Garden, received the 2010 Barbara Jefferis Award for its empowering depiction of women in society. She has worked extensively as a teacher of creative writing and journalism. She lives in Brisbane, Australia.

Librarian’s Comments

“Shell” is a captivating, ambitious and uniquely lyrical novel that shares a defining moment in Australia’s history: the construction of the Sydney Opera House during the Vietnam War. This sweeping Australian novel explores personal guilt, political upheaval and the importance of making a stand, creating a hauntingly beautiful portrait of Sydney. State Library of Queensland, Australia