Unpolished Gem was the number two Favourite Summer Read title, as voted by readers.

A warm memoir about growing up and coming of age in suburban Footscray. It tells the stories of the women in Alice’s family – stories of madness, strength, joy, displacement and survival. The narrative evokes vivid images of a family of characters and shows us the challenges faced by those who move between two cultures.

Author

Alice Pung

Alice Pung has an Arts/Law degree and her writing has appeared in many magazines and journals. In 2002 she was nominated for a Premier's Literary Award and in 2005 she won The Other Side prose competition. Unpolished Gem is her first novel and has been shortlisted for many awards, winning Australian Newcomer of the Year in the 2007 Australian Book Industry Awards.

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