This House of Grief

A Dua Lipa Book Club Pick: 'I couldn’t put it down.’ Dua Lipa The New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice Winner, Best True Crime, Ned Kelly Awards, 2015 Winner, Western Australian Premier’s Book Award, 2016 Shortlisted, Indie Book Awards 2015 Shortlisted, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction 2015 Shortlisted, Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction, 2015 Longlisted, Stella Prize, 2015 Anyone can see the place where the children died. You take the Princes Highway past Geelong, and keep going west in the direction of Colac. Late in August 2006, soon after I had watched a magistrate commit Robert Farquharson to stand trial before a jury on three charges of murder, I headed out that way on a Sunday morning, across the great volcanic plain. On the evening of 4 September 2005, Father’s Day, Robert Farquharson, a separated husband, was driving his three sons home to their mother, Cindy, when his car left the road and plunged into a dam. The boys, aged ten, seven and two, drowned. Was this an act of revenge or a tragic accident? The court case became Helen Garner’s obsession. She followed it on its protracted course until the final verdict. In this utterly compelling book, Helen Garner tells the story of a man and his broken life. She presents the theatre of the courtroom with its actors and audience – all gathered to witness to the truth – players in the extraordinary and unpredictable drama of the quest for justice. This House of Grief is a heartbreaking and unputdownable book by one of Australia’s most admired writers. Helen Garner writes novels, stories, screenplays and works of non-fiction. In 2006 she received the inaugural Melbourne Prize for Literature, and in 2016 she won the prestigious Windham–Campbell Prize for non-fiction. She was honoured with the Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature in 2019. And in 2023 she was awarded the ASA Medal for her outstanding contribution to Australian literature. Her works include Monkey Grip, The Children’s Bach, The First Stone, Joe Chinque’s Consolation, The Spare Room, This House of Grief, The Season and three volumes of her diaries. Garner lives in Melbourne. PRAISE FOR THIS HOUSE OF GRIEF ‘[This House of Grief] grabbed me by the throat.’ Gillian Anderson, Wall Street Journal ‘In its restraint and control, bears comparison with In Cold Blood.’ Kate Atkinson, author of Big Sky and Shrines of Gaiety ‘Has all the trademark Helen Garner touches: harrowing scenes recorded without restraint or censorship; touching observations of characters’ weaknesses; wry moments of humour.’ Guardian ‘A stark account of the harrowing aftermath of a horrific crime. Garner captures the breathless suspense during the wait for the jury to return; the blow of the decision and sentencing; and her own unsettled response to the shattering experience of contemplating an unthinkable crime.’ Kirkus Reviews ‘A prodigiously gifted writer.’ New York Times Book Review ‘Tender and electrifying. This House of Grief is Helen Garner’s masterpiece.’ Saturday Paper ‘Will have your heart in your mouth.’ Weekend Australian ‘The twists and turns of this true-crime story are, in Garner’s hands, more engrossing and dramatic than any thriller.’ Age ‘A rigorous, compassionate meditation on the unfathomable depths of human behaviour.’ New York Times