Pantera Press acquires debut novel by Sophie Matthiesson

Pantera Press has acquired ANZ rights for Together We Fall Apart by Sophie Matthiesson from Clare Forster at Curtis Brown.

Together We Fall Apart is a stunning debut novel that will introduce Sophie Matthiesson as a brilliant new voice in Australian fiction, perfect for fans of Peggy Frew, Victoria Hannan and Meg Mason. It explores a family in crisis, and the ruptures beyond, through the restless and conflicted protagonist Clare who has reached a crossroads in her life after some years abroad.

For the past seven years, Clare has been living in London. She works for a judge on child protection cases. Her partner, Miriam, is devoted to raising their young son, Rupert; their days are dominated by nap times, laundry, and hiding from each other.

Called home to Melbourne to the bedside of her dying father, Clare must reckon with the family she left behind. Her brother, Max, a heroin addict, is spiralling, and her grief-stricken mother is unravelling.

After her father dies, Clare decides to stay longer, to help Max into rehab. But as Clare pursues her own desperate desire to escape, she’s no longer convinced who’s to blame. Together We Fall Apart is a compelling exploration of love, family and addiction.

Publisher Katherine Hassett said: ‘We are delighted to have the incredibly talented Sophie Matthiesson join our list. Together We Fall Apart is a deeply affecting portrait of a dysfunctional family. Sophie’s thoughtful and lyrical writing perfectly captures the long-lasting grip an addiction has on an entire family – her flawed but genuine characters seeped into my consciousness and lingered for days. Moving, heartbreaking and insightful, this beautiful novel will resonate with many readers.’

Sophie Matthiesson said: ‘I am overjoyed that my novel will soon meet the world of readers. I hope that it will offer insight into the impact addiction can have on a family, in all its light and shade. My deepest gratitude to Katherine Hassett, the Pantera team, Clare Forster at Curtis Brown, and all those who believed in this story.’

Together We Fall Apart will be published in July 2024.

Sophie Matthiesson is a lawyer and writer who grew up in Melbourne, spent six years in London, and now lives in Central Victoria. Her short story Dead Heifers won the 2021 Boroondara Literary Awards and judge Chloe Hooper commented at the time, “I look forward to reading more of this fine author’s work”.