In conversation with Karen Viggers

Karen Viggers will be in conversation with Alex Sloan about Karen's new novel, The Orchardist's Daughter, in which Karen returns to remote Tasmania, the setting of her most popular novel The Lightkeeper's Wife.

Sixteen-year old Mikaela has grown up isolated and home-schooled on an apple orchard in southeastern Tasmania, until an unexpected event shatters her family. Eighteen months later, she and her older brother Kurt are running a small business in a timber town. Miki longs to make connections and spend more time in her beloved forest, but she is kept a virtual prisoner by Kurt, who leads a secret life of his own. When Miki meets Leon, another outsider, things slowly begin to change. But the power to stand up for yourself must come from within. And Miki has to fight to uncover the truth of her past and discover her strength and spirit

The Orchardist's Daughter is a powerful meditation on self-discovery, overcoming adversity, and the irrepressible desire to live.

Karen Viggers is the Canberra award-winning author of three international bestselling novels, The Stranding, The Lightkeeper's Wife, and The Grass Castle. Karen's work has enjoyed great success in France, selling over 800,000 copies to date, with The Lightkeeper's Wife on the French national bestseller list for 42 weeks. Karen's writing explores connections with the bush, grief and loss, healing in nature, death, family, marriage and friendship. Karen is also a part-time veterinarian, who has completed an ANU PhD in wildlife health.

Alex Sloan was the 2017 Canberra Citizen of the Year and is one of Canberra's best-known and loved personalities. She retired from the ABC radio after 27 years at the end of 2016 and is a regular conversationalist for meet the author events.

Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event. This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop and books will be available to purchase. Bar and restaurant facilities are also available in the new Kambri precinct.

Please register for the event via this link.