ABOUT THE EVENT:

From the award-winning, best-selling Australian author Sofie Laguna comes a book for every reader; the book she found hardest to write but loves more than anything else she’s written.

On Wednesday 5th November at The Royal Oak, Balmain, join Sofie Laguna in conversation with Michaela Kalowski.

Copies of The Underworld will be available for purchase at the venue through Roaring Stories, with Laguna signing copies after the discussion.

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ABOUT THE VENUE

The Royal Oak, one of Balmain's oldest and most loved pubs has been hosting Roaring Stories author events since the inception of our events program.

Attendees are asked to arrive at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start. The event bar on L1 will be serving drinks. Seating is unallocated – another reason to arrive early to secure an optimal spot. Why not make a full evening of it, too, by ordering a meal at the Royal Oak before or after the event? To make a dinner reservation before or after the event, simply click on the restaurant reservation link here.

Royal Oak Balmain – Acrylic – Artist Jan Larsen

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ABOUT THE BOOK

The much-awaited new novel from the Miles Frankin Award-winning author, Sofie Laguna, is a book for all readers; thinkers, laughers, empaths, quirky folk, queer folk, nostalgists, the young, and the slightly less young.

It’s a book for readers wanting to learn new things, those seeking a happy ending and anyone ready to feel. The Underworld is a book for anyone who has ever been fourteen. Martha Mullins is a misfit. Her mother, glamorous, aloof and judgemental; her father, mostly absent. The underworld, a place she learns about in Roman mythology classes at school, provides her with a place of refuge and escape. Martha has struggled to find her place in the world until she goes to boarding school, and finally finds her tribe. Here she finds joy in friendship, connection and intimacy; the value in spontaneity, fun and laughter. Until things go wrong.

The Underworld is a love story, and Sofie has said that sometimes writing it felt a little like falling in love – madness! The Underworld is a wondrous novel from an author who wields her considerable powers with assuredness and grace. Funny, Brave, insightful and clever, Martha Mullins will break your heart - then mend it - many times over

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ABOUT SOFIE LAGUNA

Sofie Laguna has written four novels for adults which have won numerous literary awards including the Miles Franklin Award, the Colin Roderick Award and the Indie Award. She has also been shortlisted for the Stella Prize, the ALS Gold Medal, the Voss Award, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. Sofie’s many books for children have been published in the US and the UK and in translation in Europe and Asia, and been named Honour and Notable Books by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. The Underworld, Sofie’s fifth adult novel, is scheduled for publication with Penguin Random House 2025.

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ABOUT MICHAELA KALOWSKI

Michaela Kalowski is an interviewer, moderator & curator for writers and ideas festivals. Highlight interviews include Margaret Atwood, David Mitchell, Robbie Arnott & Stan Grant. From 2020 to 2024 she curated Big Weekend of Books, ABC RN’s annual on-air writers’ festival. She is currently working on ABC RN's Top 100 Books Countdown. She produces & hosts a monthly books conversation event for Petersham Bowling Club. Michaela has conducted radio interviews and presented programs across ABC radio & TV. She's co-presenter & co-writer of a two-part podcast for ABC RN, tracing part of her family’s history, called Laya’s Way Home.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

Refunds

Please note that tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or postponed due to extenuating circumstances. Refunds are not issued within 48 hours notice of event date. Humanitix fee is nonrefundable.

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This event is presented by Roaring Stories Bookshop Balmain and Penguin Random House.

With thanks to our venue partner The Royal Oak.

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