Sororicidal

What inspired Edwina Preston to write about sibling rivalry in an Edwardian Adelaide setting?

Preston, who has previously explored Australian cultural history in her biography of artist Howard Arkley, brings her keen eye for period detail and social dynamics to this early 20th-century setting. The Edwardian era, with its rigid social conventions and limited opportunities for women, provides a particularly claustrophobic backdrop for exploring how sisterly competition could intensify when options for self-expression and independence were so constrained. The vineyards above Adelaide offer both a geographically specific Australian context and a metaphorical landscape where cultivation and control become central themes.

How does this novel differ from Preston's previous fiction works?

Whilst The Inheritance of Ivorie Hammer and Bad Art Mother established Preston's literary voice, Sororicidal represents a departure into what reviewers have described as punk-gothic territory, suggesting a darker, more subversive tone. The novel appears to push further into psychological extremity and sustained antagonism between characters, with the focus narrowed intensely onto the destructive dynamics between two sisters rather than broader family or artistic themes. This concentrated examination of female rivalry marks a bolder, more confrontational approach in Preston's fiction writing.

What does the term sororicidal actually mean and why is it significant as the title?

Sororicidal derives from the Latin soror meaning sister, combined with the suffix -cidal meaning killing or destruction, creating a term that specifically describes the act of killing one's sister or, more broadly, destructive behaviour between sisters. By choosing this rare and striking word as her title, Preston signals that the novel examines not just ordinary sibling conflict but something far more extreme and potentially annihilative. The term elevates sisterly rivalry from mere competition to a matter of existential threat, suggesting that the sisters' relationship becomes literally or metaphorically murderous.

How does Preston's background as a musician influence her approach to writing fiction?

Preston's dual identity as both writer and musician likely informs the novel's described punk-gothic aesthetic, bringing a musical sensibility to literary structure and rhythm. Musicians often think in terms of tension and release, dissonance and harmony, which translates effectively to exploring the volatile dynamics between the two sisters. Her musical background may also contribute to the novel's reported playful intelligence and its willingness to experiment with tone, moving between registers much as a composer might shift between musical modes.

Shipping

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.