Lona spends her days developing photographs in the dark room of the art school she dropped out of, and her nights DJ-ing the roller disco at Planet Skate. She is in inexplicable, debilitating love with a bespectacled former classmate. She is in comfortable, platonic love with her best friend Tab.
When Lona's grandfather moves into her home, she finds herself bonding with him just as she watches his health decline. When she is promoted to manager of checkout three at Coles, she argues for a demotion to trolley-girl. When she meets a bass-playing, cello-shredding, charming-as-all-hell suitor, she is bewildered the idea of finding herself in a romantic relationship with another human being.
Lona doesn't know what she wants, but she knows what she doesn't want-well, some of the time.
About the Author
Georgina Young is a writer and designer from Melbourne. She has previously had her work published in Voiceworks magazine, as well as in Branches, an anthology published by the Bowen Street Press. Loner is her first novel.
Industry Reviews
'I loved this razor-sharp, whip-smart, exquisitely funny debut.' * Nina Kenwood *
'Reading Loner was like reading about a younger me: going to art school, dating the wrong people, living in my first sharehouse, making questionable hair decisions, fallouts with friends, going to pretentious hipster cafes, getting lost in Chadstone, waiting for the delayed Pakenham-line train, experiencing my first love and heartbreak, and worrying so much about seeming cool and unbothered. Loner is a convincing snapshot of what it is like to be a young artist and not knowing what the hell you want to do with the rest of your life.' * Frances Cannon *
'Loner is a very clever, unconventional and hilarious coming-of-age story. I loved it!' * Eliza Henry-Jones *
'Georgina Young made me squirm and swoon and sigh as I fell head over heels for the exquisite paradoxes of her protagonist. Lona wonders why she can never say exactly the thing she means-lucky for us, we have Young, and she articulates all those things with smarts and humour and grace. This is a book to push into the hands of everyone you know, especially those who ever had trouble knowing themselves.' * Kate Mildenhall *
'A compassionate and clever story for dropouts and screw-ups. Georgina Young has bottled the fears and feelings of every young woman who has had to learn to stop hiding inside herself.' * Brodie Lancaster *
'Georgina Young's fresh voice and careful writing about everyday characters made me feel instantly at home. Read Loner and feel seen, feel hope and be entertained-whatever your age. Young shines.' * Alice Bishop *
'I loved Lona and Loner. I loved Lona's endearing honesty and even when she strayed at times, she mostly stayed true to herself. Even if she didn't know who she was, we pretty much did and really felt she would come through okay. Good one, Text, you chose well and I can't wait to recommend this book far and wide.' * Readings *
'Reminiscent of Greta Gerwig's 2017 film Lady Bird, Loner articulates the fatigue and fear of trying to work out what kind of person you want to be...Young's care for her protagonist shines through, and it is this affection that is the heart of the novel.' * Kill Your Darlings *
