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The Rain Heron  By  cover art

The Rain Heron

By: Robbie Arnott
Narrated by: Jessica Douglas-Henry,Zoe Carides
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Publisher's summary

Ren lives alone on the remote frontier of a country devastated by a coup. High on the forested slopes, she survives by hunting and trading - and forgetting. But when a young soldier comes to the mountains in search of a local myth, Ren is inexorably drawn into her impossible mission. As their lives entwine, unravel and erupt - as myths merge with reality - both Ren and the soldier are forced to confront what they regret, what they love and what they fear.

Robbie Arnott’s stunning second novel remakes our relationship with the natural world. The Rain Heron is equal parts horror and wonder and utterly gripping.

Shortlisted, Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize (for Flames), United Kingdom, 2019

Shortlisted, Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Fiction (for Flames), 2019

Longlisted, Indie Book Awards for Debut Fiction (for Flames), 2019

Shortlisted, UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing, NSW Premier's Literary Awards (for Flames), 2019

Shortlisted, Queensland Literary Awards: University of Queensland Fiction Book Award (for Flames), 2018

Shortlisted, Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction (for Flames), 2018

Shortlisted, Katheen Mitchell Award, 2019

Longlisted, ALS Gold Medal, 2019

Longlisted, Miles Franklin Literary Award, 2019

Shortlisted, Tasmania Book Prize, Premier's Literary Awards, 2019

Shortlisted, Margaret Scott Prize, Premier's Literary Awards, 2019

Longlisted, Voss Literary Prize, 2019

©2020 Robbie Arnott (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Robbie Arnott is singlehandedly reinventing Australian literature. The Rain Heron is a soaring feat of the imagination." (Bram Presser)

"The Rain Heron is exquisite. It is both fantastical and deeply true." (Jane Rawson)

"The Rain Heron is genuinely and completely magnificent - a magical thing." (Robert Lukins)

What listeners say about The Rain Heron

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Intriguing story

Whilst I enjoyed listening.. For me it's the Kind of a book I need to read in print due to the beauty of the imagery which needs to wait for absorbing. Im sure I'll get more upon second reading!

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  • R Earl
  • 08-29-20

A masterpiece!

Beautiful, strange, scary, poetic! This story was outstanding & left me wanting more. The narrator was great!

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  • Debbie George
  • 06-20-20

Brilliantly beautiful

First time I have read this author, Arnotts writing has left me wanting more. Sadly Flames, his first novel not available on Audible.

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  • Fangman
  • 01-09-23

Interesting Concepts

I thoroughly enjoyed the book which was so different and intriguing. It joins the early related lives seamlessly.
I was a little disappointed with the conclusion but it does open itself up for analysis and discussion.

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  • Bookworm Lee
  • 08-09-21

Four part tale weaves characters place and past

The structure gives this book and story interest, particularly enjoyed the section about the Northerner and squid ink farming, quite removed from the main narrative of the Rain Heron’s journey. In many ways this book left me with more questions about purpose, motive and this is not a bad thing, but propelled me forward. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the change in narrator, at the end of the story. Wonderful characters and sense of place, setting and time were sort of mystic, futuristic and a little apocalyptic, contrasting the stunning descriptions of the Heron’s physical appearance. I would have liked to know more about the origin of the bird!
Wonderful original story with great female protagonists, well considered and created with no stereotypes.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 07-03-20

Beautiful writing, rich and lyrical.

Narration was excellent. I really enjoyed the descriptive writing, I could smell the smells and feel the feels. Brilliant, uncomfortable, painful and sickening in parts. But also some uplifting, redemptive moments. Well paced, a bit sparing.
I wanted more of all of it, more of the rain heron, more of Ren and Daniel and Zoe. Overall it was thought provoking and melancholic. I really enjoyed it, highly recommend!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 09-26-23

Storyteller of immense talent.

Wow! 2nd novel I have read by Robbie Arnott-simply brilliant.
Lyrical , compelling , brutal , uplifting, fanciful but believable -what a voice this young man has.
I wanted more.
Cannot wait to see what he produces next.
Talent in bucket loads.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 08-01-23

Fabulous!

An amazing insight into our alienation from Nature and our need for myths that free us from ego and our self-absorption.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 07-10-23

Hard-edged magical realism

The crossover between a reality we know and one we don’t is exciting and credible. The story behind human beings who do terrible things in brutal times is expansive and riveting. The women characters are powerful. Both narrators are brilliant.

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  • Maggie
  • 06-29-23

a very original story

good to hear a story so different. part fantasy but with very real characters. plenty left to your imagination and never sure where the story is heading but worth reading/listening to. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

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  • Tania
  • 04-20-22

Beautiful

The authors play on words and descriptions took on the journey in the story. Narration was brilliant and is perfect for this story.

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