Inspired by her own family history, To Sing of War is a compelling novel that intertwines love, war, and friendship.
Perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr, Richard Flanagan, Shirley Hazzard and Barbara Kingsolver, the story unfolds in December 1944, following young Australian nurse Lotte Wyld, who reunites with her first love, Virgil Nicholson, in New Guinea.
As they navigate their troubled past, physicists Miriam Carver and Fred Johnson work with Robert Oppenheimer in Los Alamos, developing a weapon they believe will end all wars. Meanwhile, on the sacred island of Miyajima, Hiroko Narushima faces the challenge of protecting her family from looming danger.
To Sing of War delves into how fear shapes our actions, the complexities of love and war, and the quest for forgiveness in an interconnected world. Through these stories, the novel reflects on the impact of history and our shared humanity.
About the author
Catherine McKinnon lives in the Southern Highlands with her husband, painter and sculptor Gary Christian. She teaches creative writing at the University of Wollongong. Her novel Storyland (Fourth Estate, 2017) was shortlisted for five literary awards including, in 2018, the Miles Franklin Literary Award, the Barbara Jefferis Award and the Voss Literary Prize. Merrigong Theatre has commissioned an adaption of the novel, to be cowritten by Catherine and Aunty Barb Nicholson.