Circle of Wonders: An extraordinary novel of awe and wonder perfect for readers of Emily Maguire and Sarah Winman

From acclaimed writer Kathryn Heyman comes a luminously beautiful and personal novel, Circle of Wonders. It is the story of two deaths, but more importantly, it is the story of the legacy of life that flows from them - an uplifting celebratory song to life, and a homage to human resilience.

Set over one heightened lunar month, this is the story of four women. It is a story of death, and a story of life.

It is the story of Roni, dying of breast cancer, and of her mother, Sylvie, lying waiting for her own death in the public hospital on the other side of the mountain ridge that divides them. It is also the story of Roni's daughter, Belle, recently returned from a rehab centre after years of addiction. And there is Anna, Roni's Oxbridge-educated, shining star of a sister. She has returned to Australia from London, to be with her mother and her sister as they lie dying. For each of them, this month will change everything; it will teach them how to live.

Inspired by Kathryn's personal experience, this is an extraordinary, luminous, heart-expanding novel, one that expands our notion of what death means, what love is and what it is to truly live. This novel celebrates our imperfections, mess and flaws, right alongside our spectacular capacity for humour, awe and wonder. It offers these things to readers as a balm, a solace, and an exhortation to notice, to attend, and to wonder.

'A precious jewellery box of language, bravely capturing the imperfection of being human and probing the mysteries of what matters most - this courageous novel glitters with wonder itself.' Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

'Beautiful and devastating. Luminous with death - and life. Circle of Wonders observes the complicated bonds of friendship and family among women, with a wisdom and tenderness that is deeply observed. It is a novel of wild power that reminds me of Katherine Mansfield and Claire Keegan. I gulped it in a day, then ached that it was over.' Nikki Gemmell, Wing

'It is breathtaking, ruthless and healing. Beautiful and profoundly moving and riveting. I think this will be a very important book. And enormously meaningful to many people. What a gift.' Jaclyn Moriarty, Gravity is the Thing

'A beautifully observed, funny and tender novel about letting love in, and letting love go.' Anna Funder, Wifedom

© 2026 HarperAudio (Audioboek): 9781038102973

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Audioboek: 31 maart 2026