Shortlisted for the 2026 Miles Franklin Literary Award, this is a story about Grace’s aging and the effect on her and her daughter Liz.

Grace lives alone and manages to hide the fact that she has dementia until she is found wandering the streets lost and confused. Her daughter Liz is at a loss about her what to do about her condition and makes the difficult decision to move her into an aged care facility for her safety and well-being.

Many of us with elderly parents face these decisions but Wilson shows us the day-to-day practical issues along with the difficult emotional ones. Both characters are well drawn. Liz grapples to understand her mother’s disease as well as coping with being a working parent. We could judge her growing frustration but deep dive below that is her fear and loss and the beginning of the grieving process at work.

The chapter numbers are jumbled up reflecting Grace’s state of mind as it slips back and forth reflecting her past and present. Grace lives in her own world, bewildered and frustrated whilst understanding what is happening to her.

This is a well written, short read, powerful as it is sad. Check it out.