BOOK BRIEF

Monkey Grip

Helen Garner
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Monkey Grip

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1984

Book Brief

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Helen Garner

Monkey Grip

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1984
Book Details
Pages

245

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Melbourne, Australia • 1970s

Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Monkey Grip by Helen Garner explores the intertwined lives of individuals navigating love, addiction, and communal living in 1970s Melbourne. The narrative centers on a person's struggle with tumultuous relationships and personal growth while capturing the era's cultural and social dynamics. Garner provides a raw and candid depiction of human connections and emotional experiences.

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Emotional

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

3.7

7,671 ratings

60%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Helen Garner's Monkey Grip is praised for its raw, authentic depiction of 1970s Melbourne and its candid exploration of love and addiction. Garner's prose is noted for its vividness and emotional depth. However, some critics find the plot meandering and the characters' decisions frustrating. Overall, it remains a significant, evocative piece of Australian literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Monkey Grip?

Readers of Monkey Grip by Helen Garner are often drawn to character-driven narratives and gritty depictions of urban life in the 1970s. They may enjoy The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and On the Road by Jack Kerouac for their exploration of personal freedom and social change.

3.7

7,671 ratings

60%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

245

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Melbourne, Australia • 1970s

Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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