All Our Shimmering Skies

All Our Shimmering Skies follows Molly Hook, a gravedigger's daughter in Darwin, Australia during World War II. After Japanese bombs fall on Darwin in 1942, Molly embarks on a journey through the Northern Territory wilderness to find Longcoat Bob, a man she believes placed a curse on her family. Along her quest, Molly travels with Greta, a female actress from Sydney, and Yukio, a Japanese fighter pilot. The trio face challenges from the landscape as they move deeper into Aboriginal country, while Molly carries her shovel named Bert and consults the sky for guidance. Molly's path through the outback becomes a mission not just to break a curse, but to uncover truths about her family's past. Her determination drives her forward as she navigates both physical dangers and the weight of her own history. The story explores themes of resilience, the impact of family mythology, and the raw power of the Australian landscape. Through Molly's eyes, the line between magic and reality blurs, suggesting that curses might take forms beyond the supernatural.

Readers found this magical realism tale set in WWII Australia to be poetic but challenging to follow. Many reviews note Dalton's unique writing style and vivid imagery brings the Northern Territory landscape to life. Readers appreciated: - Rich descriptions of Australian flora, fauna and culture - Complex female characters - Integration of Aboriginal mythology - Emotional depth of relationships Common criticisms: - Overly flowery prose that can feel excessive - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Too many metaphors and repeated phrases - Plot threads that don't fully resolve Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Several reviewers compared the style to Dalton's previous book Boy Swallows Universe, with some finding this one more difficult to connect with. As one Goodreads reviewer noted: "Beautiful writing but the story got lost in all the poetry."

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🌟 Author Trent Dalton wrote this novel during Australia's catastrophic 2019-2020 bushfire season, which influenced the book's vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape. 🌺 The story is set in Darwin during World War II, specifically during the 1942 Japanese bombing raids, which were the largest attacks ever mounted by a foreign power on Australian soil. ✨ The protagonist's name, Molly Hook, was inspired by a gravedigger Dalton met while researching his previous novel, "Boy Swallows Universe." 🌿 Aboriginal folklore and mythology are woven throughout the narrative, drawing on traditional stories about the Rainbow Serpent and other spiritual elements. 💫 Like his previous work, Dalton wrote this book by hand in notebooks before typing it up, a process he believes helps him connect more deeply with the story.