Phosphorescence

‘Like spending an evening with a wonderful friend, with unlimited time and a glass of good wine in hand … A beautiful and rallying read’ The Australian

‘Julia Baird’s new, beautiful consideration of the things that glow through the murk … a book such as this one – one that aims to provoke delight and wonder and comfort, that is at its heart trying to find answers or modes of connection, or light – is of the moment in the best possible way’ The Guardian

‘Intelligent and emotionally astute … Many will find sustenance in reading it’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘That is the beauty of this profound book. It transports you into all the deep, inner yearnings you’ve had for a long time, and then articulates them for you … I could rave about this gem of a book forever. We need this book. You need this book. It is the perfect gift for us all right now. It is perfect’ Better Reading

‘Julia Baird is an alchemist, turning the dross of her life’s harshest blows into shimmering prose. Both timeless and timely, this is a book of wisdom and wonder.’ Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March and Caleb’s Crossing

‘This book is a love letter to the world by a brilliant writer who nearly left it. Julia Baird has gone into the depths of human experience-her own, and others’-and come back with this luminous and profound celebration of people and the planet. Phosphorescence is a treasure to read and re-read your whole life.’ Anna Funder, author of All That I Am and Stasiland

‘I loved this book. A cupped hand full of light in a darkened world. A collection of glittering curios. I’ll hold it close in trying times.’ Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment

Julia Baird is a globally renowned author and award-winning journalist. She hosts The Drum on ABC TV and writes columns for The New York Times and The Sydney Morning Herald. Her first book, Media Tarts, was based on her history PhD about the portrayal of female politicians. After moving to the United States to take up a fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School, she became a columnist and senior editor at Newsweek in New York. Julia’s biography of Queen Victoria was published in several countries to critical acclaim and was one of The New York Times’ top ten books of 2016. She lives near the sea with two children, a tyrannical cat and an abnormally large dog.