First-time novelists have expectations thrust upon them, or perhaps they thrust them upon themselves. Kate Cole-Adams may not have as many as some with her debut novel Walking to the Moon, as her day job entails journalism and editing at a major newspaper. It is patently obvious she has overcome any fear she may have harboured, as her prose is decidedly eloquent and flows over the reader like icing on a cake. Walking to the Moon revolves around Jess, who has recently awoken from a coma. The reader is taken on a voyeuristic viewing of Jess’s life and is privy to the painstaking revelations through her thoughts, and more often, other characters words. Jess lives in a fragmented world with absence of family, except for her Aunt Hil. We feel Jess’ awkwardness, frailty, anger and loss throughout the book as she tries to come to terms with her confused state. The ‘walking’ part of the title refers to the cathartic effect it ultimately has upon her which is quite a relief for the reader as well. It is almost as if this book is a case-study of depression without the drama and ‘beyond blue’ labels. A poignant story and intense unveiling.

Katie Horner is assistant editor of Bookseller+Publisher

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