Praise for A Million Things
Emily Spurr's first novel, A Million Things was shortlisted for the prestigious Victorian Premier's Unpublished Manuscript Prize, voted BookBrowse Best Debut Novel of 2021, long-listed for the 2022 Margaret & Collin Roderick Literary Award and Highly Commended for the 2022 Barbara Jefferis Award, It has been published in Australasia, North America, Europe, the UK, China and Taiwan.
Publishers Weekly
'Spurr delivers a haunting account of a young girl grappling with abandonment in this excellent debut...Through Rae’s devastating yet hopeful interior dialogue, Spurr delicately illustrates the complexity of loss and isolations.'
Booklist
'Spurr deftly slides into Rae’s 10-year-old consciousness, expertly balancing the innocence and maturity of a child grown up too soon.'
The Book Show, ABC Radio National
‘A remarkable book: beautifully written, tender, loving, humorous, heart-breaking, but all those other things as well, which is what we all love to read in the best of fiction.’
ArtsHub
'Spurr expertly transforms an unlikely cast of loners into a set of profoundly connected individuals...there are moments in which the reader will laugh out loud. However, anyone who has experienced grief is likely to cry at least once before the covers close on this story.'
The Weekend Australian
'It is not hard to see why A Million Things was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award Unpublished Manuscript Prize last year. Spurr is a subtle writer, and though she writes genuinely dramatic incidents, the story is not overblown, and actions and reactions are written with a light touch…Spurr does a deft job of showing that people can surprise in good ways as well as bad.’
Herald Sun
‘Beautifully written, equally heart-warming and heart-wrenching novel about family, friendship, love and resilience…An absorbing, wonderful read that showcases the importance of having even one special person to turn to and unconditional love. Keep the tissues close by.’
The Big Issue
‘A powerful and challenging read from a new writer to watch.’
Readings
‘An enthralling, devastating debut… A Million Things is a shattering novel that perfectly captures the fractured moments between loss and letting go; between childhood and growing up, in which anything could change once the pieces fall.’
2SER: Final Draft
‘An absolutely fantastic novel.’
Publishers Weekly
'In this excellent debut…Spurr delicately illustrates the complexity of loss and isolation. Fans of Liane Moriarty should take a look.’.
BookBrowse
'An intense, atmospheric work of fiction about love, grief and resilience.'
E! Online
'Spurr's gut-punch of a debut details 55 days in the life of 10-year-old Rae, who must look after herself and her beloved dog after her mother disappears. Warning: Stock up on Kleenex and prepare to feel all the feelings in this heartfelt story of resilience.'
The Australian Women's Weekly
‘Amazing debut.’
The Advertiser, Adelaide.
'Emily Spurr’s first novel is written with depth and heart and a plangent simplicity; her characters have a warmth and feisty resilience that she makes utterly believable, and the inevitable tricky ending is handled with confidence and flair.'
BookBrowse
'A Million Things draws the reader into an intimate world of unforgettable characters and heartfelt expressions of love and grief. This is a great selection for book clubs who are looking for a... genuinely touching read.'
Jan Goldsmith, Published... or Not.
‘My Tissues came out very readily! '
The Age/SMH
‘Author Emily Spurr tells a tale of grief and resilience with refreshing simplicity.’
Readings
‘For book clubs who know honest friendship is the light in darkness.’
Newstalk ZB
‘Really good. There are moments in the book where your heart stops.’
Catherine Jinks
‘Poignant, uplifting and beautifully written.’
Jock Serong
‘Direct, assured writing, hard-hitting emotion and a wonderful sense of optimism. A Million Things is a debut to treasure, with characters whose dignity shines through their struggles.’
Graeme Simsion
'An original and impressively assured debut. A gem of a novel.’
Amy Jo Burns
'Swept me into its thrall so immediately that I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until I reached the end…Fresh and slim, this novel pierces like a bullet and soothes like a psalm.'
Reviews - Beatrix & Fred
To be released September 2023 - Beatrix and Fred is Emily Spurr's second novel
COMING September 2023
TO COME
Hold your horses! Beatrix & Fred will be released in September 2023