Introducing Madeleine Gray’s Latest Novel
Madeleine Gray, an Australian novelist acclaimed for her debut novel Green Dot—a clever and humorous exploration of a failed workplace romance—returns with another insightful and witty book titled Chosen Family. This new narrative delves into the intricate and transformative bond between two women.
The Journey of Nell and Eve
Nell and Eve’s friendship begins at the age of 12 in a girls’ school in Sydney. Gray masterfully alternates the timeline between the early 2000s and the present, echoing the style found in David Nicholls’s One Day. This technique allows readers to encounter the characters at various pivotal stages in their lives, from the challenges of adolescence, through the liberation found in their university days, to the trials and triumphs of becoming parents.
From the onset, we learn that Nell, despite no longer being present and sharing a daughter with Eve that they co-parent, plays a crucial, albeit mysterious, role in the unfolding story. Her absence propels the narrative forward, as readers are eager to uncover the reasons behind her disappearance—pondering questions of betrayal, misunderstandings, and potential reconciliation.
When they initially meet, Nell is isolated, her affluent parents providing material support but little else. She is accustomed to solitude until Eve arrives—a newcomer with an unreliable mother. Quickly forming a tight-knit bond, the pair soon face the harsh social dynamics of their school. Faced with hurtful rumors about Eve’s sexuality, Nell makes the painful decision to distance herself to protect her own social standing.
The narrative does not shy away from the brutal social landscape of school, described as having a “sublime cruelty.” In Nell’s absence, Eve becomes a shadow of herself. However, her vibrancy returns in university where she not only makes new friends but also starts to embrace and explore her queer identity. A humorous moment unfolds as she searches online “how to look even gayer” before class, and navigates the etiquette of buying drinks for another woman in a gay bar.
Reunion and Reflection
Gray captures Eve’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance within her community beautifully. Despite her enjoyment of newfound freedoms and experiences, Eve remains guarded, unwilling to let others too close. That changes when a changed, remorseful Nell re-enters her life. Eve’s magnanimity upon their reunion hides an acute awareness of her newfound power in their dynamic.
Underneath their cautious reconnection, deeper questions persist: What are their true feelings for each other? Are they merely friends, or is there something more?
The complexity of their relationship deepens when Eve proposes they parent a child together, platonically, with the help of a sperm donation from a gay friend. Despite some reservations, Nell agrees, setting the stage for a novel exploration of love and family.
Unlike typical narratives where female friendships serve as mere backdrops for discussing romantic entanglements, Chosen Family places a profound, platonic love between women at the heart of its story. It challenges the conventional boundaries of relationships and family structures.
The novel also explores the fear and consequences of potentially losing one’s closest ally. Both women are fascinated by the myth of Medusa, a motif that recurs throughout the story, symbolizing the terror and paralysis of their deepest fears. This fear drives them to keep secrets, heightening the stakes of their shared life.
Chosen Family is a sharply written and compelling tale that navigates the terrains of friendship, parenthood, love, desire, and the painful yet necessary truths we face in personal growth and relationships. It examines the potential cruelties inflicted on those closest to us and contemplates whether there are truer, more sincere forms of love available to us.
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
