A Staff Pick: Why We Fell in Love with A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan

Allen & Unwin
Apr 29
4 min read

Learn about the book we can't stop talking about, A Beautiful Family.

A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan

Every summer, we at Allen & Unwin look forward to some quality reading time. This year, one book captivated everyone in the office – and we haven’t stopped talking about it since – and soon you’ll have a chance to read it too.

Jennifer Trevelyan’s A Beautiful Family is the book we can’t stop talking about — a compelling, deeply felt novel that had the whole team hooked from page one.

It tells the story of one eventful summer that forever changes the lives of a family, and we think it's the most engrossing debut you'll read this year.

But don’t just take our word for it. Here's a selection of some of the rave reviews we’ve already received for this modern classic:

‘I absolutely loved this page-turning family mystery and didn’t want it to end. The author so effortlessly transported me to another place and time, and every character leapt off the page. An extraordinary, exquisitely written debut.’

Liane Moriarty, author of Here One Moment

‘Taut yet tender, A Beautiful Family examines the precariousness of childhood through the lens of a long, hazy summer of secrets. Proving the maxim that all unhappy families are unhappy in their own way, Trevelyan has crafted a coming of age story that perfectly balances the nostalgia of summer holidays with a looming sense of danger. Find a sun-lit corner and devour this sensational debut in one session (like I did).’

Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Before You Knew My Name and Leave the Girls Behind

'An absolutely riveting read. A Beautiful Family held me captive from the first page to the last, both through Trevelyan's uncanny ability to maintain inexorable tension throughout, and her wholly believable narration of a ten-year-old trying to make sense of the adult world around her. I loved it.'

Hannah Kent, author of Devotion

'This one sneaks up on you. Initially a simple tale told through the eyes of a 10yo that thickens and intensifies like milk to cream to butter. Very cleverly crafted and richly rewarding.'

Ted, Dymocks Nowra

‘I was completely addicted to this book. I started reading it and 100 pages went by in a flash. I almost read the whole book in a day. Compelling and addictive don’t even come close to describing this incredible novel.

I’ve read some books from a child’s perspective that have gone horribly wrong but Jennifer Trevelyan smashes it with her debut novel. This book is up there with Jasper Jones, The Little Friend and The Highest Tide. An absolute must read.’

Jon Page, WH Smith

'I was hooked from the first few pages, Alix and Kalu took me on an unforgettable journey. It was that good a read I nearly missed the first ball of the boxing day test!'

Jeff Ortmann, Operations Manager

'Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading A Beautiful Family. For me it was a case of nostalgia – Summer holidays as a kid, fighting with my little sister and most of all the Walkman and the cassette Split Enz True Colours. I even listened to the songs on the album again!! '

Justine Kropman, Account Manager

‘The perfect page-turner for holiday reading. Heart-wrenching and thrilling and totally immersive. And the 10-year-old/youngest sibling POV was spot on (coming from a youngest sibling).’

Sophie Belotti, Trainee Editor

'I inhaled this in one sitting, always the sign of a brilliant book in my opinion. Trevelyan perfectly captures the voice of our ten-year-old protagonist and takes you right back there to that feeling of knowing everything and knowing nothing and the world being in hyper colour until you learn something that dims it just that little bit. Absolutely perfect from start to finish.' Anabel Pandiella, Head of Marketing

‘A Beautiful Family kept my company on a long haul flight so lucky me got to devour it in one reading. It’s a brilliant portrayal of the complexities of everyday family relationships that is familiar- but of course goes way beyond your typical family holiday to the beach!’

Eleanor O’Connor, National Account Manager, Murdoch Books

‘It threw me right back into childhood holidays in NZ in the 80s – the beach, the weather, the holiday house, the surrounding small town and dunes and lagoons, it evoked everything about every holiday I ever went on as a child. Aside from the missing child, dodgy neighbour and intense family drama, that is! Loved it..’

Eleanor Whitwell, Online sales and Ebook co-ordinator

'A Beautiful Family is so perfectly crafted, with a sense of foreboding and tension keeping the story movement swift and the pull strong. The summer beach holiday setting and the unspoken relationship dynamics and secrets and pretence and red flags just all come together in such a brilliantly realised way. Truly exceptional.'

Mary Jayne House, Field Sales and Trade Marketing Manager

‘The plot is riveting; the pace is relentless; the setting is superb. A Beautiful Family is a book of great emotional power and depth, which propels you to a thrilling and unexpected conclusion.’ Christa Munns, Associate Managing Editor

'Destined to be a classic, A Beautiful Family sits alongside other favourites like To Kill A Mockingbird and Jasper Jones.'

Peri Wilson, Publicity Director

‘Loved A Beautiful Family - loved it, loved it. Loved the “hidden secrets”. the family life (and crash), the sinister whispers, the coming of age, cracking ending too!’

Christine Farmer, Senior Publicity Manager

‘An absolute stunner, not a word out of place. Mysterious, intimate and utterly gripping from the first page to the last, A Beautiful Family is an instant classic.’

Andrew Cattanach, Head of Sales

‘The novel simultaneously invokes a simpler time – the family holiday, swimming at the beach, childhood adventure – and the very real dangers of not being able to see, or not being old enough to understand, the reality lurking beneath the surface. The unease builds from the start – it’s somehow both terrifying to keep reading and terrifying to stop reading.’ Angela Handley, Managing Editor

A Beautiful Family will be available in all good bookstores on 3 June.

You can also score a copy early by taking part in our Freebie Friday giveaway on 2 May across our socials!