I could not put this book down and ended up discussing it with Nick Earls at a conference - hence the dedication. Initially, you may think where is this going? this is a woman who is a comedienne and yet - as is the case with many do stand up comedy her life especially her mental health is a mess - well and good for providing witty comments on stage by why is her life a mess. She has a man who loves her but she hides a secret deep within her. Other reviewers do not believe this is a credible novel - please go and read "The Good Terrorist" or "The little drummer girl" or even a biography of a member of The Weathermen "With The Weathermen - the personal journey of a revolutionary woman" by Susan Stern - all of which I had read before the Thompson Gunner as one of my areas of focus is terrorism and indoctrination of terrorists.
So in answer to previous reviewers and those who have read this book and didn't want to dis it - the premise is credible enough that I asked Nick if he had actually received the idea from a woman who had experienced some or all of what is described. - He refused to answer in front of a room full of fans. 'Nuf said really. ( )

I like Nick Earls but this book just didn't quite work. It a story told by a woman and I had to keep reminding myself that it was woman. ( )

I don't think the blurb on the inside cover of this book does the story justice. Saying that though, it's hard for me to describe what this book is about. It's not as dark as the picture painted in the blurb.

Meg's a pretty successful comedian. (I have Judith Lucy in my head.) She's kind of recognisable around Australia and is completing a gruelling tour, ending in Perth before going home to Brisbane. There is a bit more to it though with Meg's relationships unravelling, as well as being increasingly haunted by memories of her childhood in Northern Ireland.

I found this book warming and familiar, perhaps because it's a long time since I've read a book by an Australian set in Australia. Nick Earls does it pretty well, and if I'm to complain about inaccuracies I'd have to talk about the chemotherapy services and room sizes at RPH (which really aren't relevant). He's done his research well, right down to Qantas Club food. If you're into Australia-bashing, well sorry, but this book isn't for you. I found it a great homecoming after time overseas. ( )

Disappointing. The secret that the entire book was leading up to, although a surprise, could have been handled better. I just didn't believe the main character, Meg, as a woman. I think the novel may have worked more effectively if that character was male. Too much information about her was left to be revealed at the end of the novel, which for me, made it hard to like or care what happened to her. ( )