Kokomo

More Information & Critical Reviews

Victoria Hannan is a writer, photographer and creative director living in Melbourne. Her writing has appeared on McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, 3:AM Magazine and in her monthly TinyLetter about swimming pools. Kokomo, her first novel, was written at artist-in-residence programs in Brazil, Tasmania and Iceland. Kokomo was the 2019 winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript.

‘It does not disappoint.’ The Guardian

‘Kokomo is a beautiful, muscular work – in which Hannan refuses to flinch, to look away, to soften things. Scenes from Kokomo are so uncomfortably familiar – crackling with longing, boredom, love, hurt and hope.’ Alice Bishop, author of A CONSTANT HUM

‘This is a book that gets right into your body. It makes you laugh, makes you think, but it doesn’t stop there – it plays with your heart and leaves it different. This is smart, raw, tender fiction that feels as real as life.’ Ronnie Scott, author of THE ADVERSARY

‘A timely song of secrets, sex and the meaning of love’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘An intricate, glittering gem. One of the best debuts in years.’ Mark Brandi, author of WIMMERA and THE RIP

Kokomo is unexpected and incredible storytelling. Crystalline, genuine, heartbreaking and powerful.’ Sarah Schmidt, author of SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE

‘With its many shifts in time and focus, Kokomo is difficult to summarise but Hannan pieces together the story of these two families with clarity, grace and a handle on structure that is rare in a debut novel. This superbly written book will appeal to readers of Zadie Smith and Jennifer Down.’ Books + Publishing

‘A remarkably accomplished debut novel – Herald SunHer originality took my breath away…’ Newtown Review of Books