The Bluebird Cafe

In Tasmania, successful entrepreneur Nancy Best has recreated the defunct mining town of Copperfield as a glass-domed amusement park whose centrepiece is the Bluebird Cafe. The facsimile also includes a wax museum containing a statue of Lovelygod, the daughter with dwarfism born to the twins Bedrock and Carrillo Mean, who caused a sensation when she vanished without a trace 20 years before. Bedrock faithfully keeps vigil for her daughter's return, while Carrillo roams the world in search of her. Also haunted by the mystery is expatriate author Virginia O'Day, who returns to Tasmania from America to write a play.

Described by Kirkus Reviews, US, as 'a sweet-natured looking-glass version of Twin Peaks', The Bluebird Cafe is award-winning author Carmel Bird's debut novel and announced the arrival of a highly original, talented writer. First published in 1990, The Bluebird Cafe was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award the following year.