Love Objects (Allen and Unwin) Emily Maguire’s 2021 novel is about a subject close to my heart. Mental health. Mental health affects most people during their lives, either personally or as a repercussion. Shortlisted Miles Franklin author, Emily, has Aunty Nic replacing her distant family with random objects. Items Nic finds on her way home from her job as a checkout clerk fills her small house in Leichhardt, NSW.

Nic’s sister moved to Queensland with her two children, Lena and Will, after the untimely death of their father. Nic experienced a pit of loneliness which she fills with objects, some years old holding fond memories and the ‘tat’ she finds. When her niece, Lena, gets a fellowship to attend University in Sydney, she reunites with her aunt over weekly lunches at local cafes. Lena sees Nic as the fun aunt she remembered as a child.

Nic experienced a pit of loneliness which she fills with objects, some years old holding fond memories and the ‘tat’ she finds.

Lena falls for the rich guy at Uni only to discover she’s an unknowing participant in a pornographic social media post. The last person Lena wants to find out is Nic. However, when Lena’s calls go unanswered after Nic misses a lunch date, she has no option but to call the police.

Forced to fight their way through towering piles of ‘love objects’ to Nic’s immobile body, the police expose the true state of her life. The timing is dreadful as Lena deals with major issues of her own, every phone call and message leaving her fearful of more hate messages and threats.

The police expose the true state of her life.

Meanwhile, Lena’s brother, Will, hopes for a fresh start in Sydney after serving time in prison. He brings with him, anguish, sorrow, pain, and a throbbing toothache.

Emily disseminates the devastating effects of family fracture in her masterly prose. Her line, ‘… one person’s avoidance of pain often creates more pain for others,’ rings true, especially for Nic and her family.

‘… one person’s avoidance of pain often creates more pain for others,’

A brilliant read, one that will raise apprehensions and tug at your heart.

In the meantime, the maze, inspired by Lohrey’s Labyrinth, is slowly taking shape. See the pictures and even a short video here https://www.instagram.com/eilajamesonavey/