Over the course of one weekend, it becomes clear that this is not a traditional tale of small- town life, and that the return of a mysterious young woman, Francie Johanssen, is a catalyst for a very different kind of story. Her homecoming disturbs the balance of the community, unravelling their sense of security and stability and turning inward their hopes and dreams, with dangerous but ultimately regenerative consequences. Has Francie really come home, or is her presence some kind of resurrection in the minds of those who love her?

FEATHERSTONE: an attractive small rural town serving outlying estates; bank, post office, school...

At first glance, Kirsty Gunn's small country town is like any other -- a closely connected community bound by habit and familiarity. Yet as we're invited to spend the weekend in Featherstone we come to realise there's something about the place that goes deep into the lives of the people who live here and bares their hearts...

Over the course of one weekend, it becomes clear that this is not a traditional tale of small- town life, and that the return of a mysterious young woman, Francie Johanssen, is a catalyst for a very different kind of story. Her homecoming disturbs the balance of the community, unravelling their sense of security and stability and turning inward their hopes and dreams, with dangerous but ultimately regenerative consequences. Has Francie really come home, or is her presence some kind of resurrection in the minds of those who love her?

In the end, Featherstone is a novel about faith. About hope and need - but most of all about love. and what love means.

Friday, early evening

Later, that same night

Saturday

Sunday, very early morning