Seth Malacari (editor), An unexpected party, Freemantle Press, October 2023, 320 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760992699
The mermaid ridden jetty of a school excursion.
A lonely birthday celebration accompanied by a demon in training.
Fairy kingdoms far far away.
Why choose just one world, when you can have all these and more in An unexpected party?
Collated by Seth Malacari, An unexpected party takes readers on a fantastical journey through the wildest dreams and imaginings of queer kids everywhere. From fantasy realms to vulnerable real-world struggles, this collection of heartwarming and deeply provocative stories champions the queer identity. The stories all challenge stereotypes and shine an accepting light on the many facets of identity. This new anthology comes from 18 emerging writers across Australia, contributing to the wonderfully intersectional and fulfilling dialogue about the queer experience in literature.
These tales contain enjoyment and heart wrenching resonance for everyone, whether you long for a good fantasy or horror read, or maybe you just need a good cry. Regardless of your taste, the variety of authors allow for a wide range of voices and styles. Just as no two identities are the same, the collection celebrates the unique nature of each author’s literary voice and lived experience, as well as the expansive spectrum of queer stories. My favourites in the collection include Sixteen Candles (but with demons) and The Boy and the Witch. While the adventure and mysteries of each tale are placed at the forefront of the readers experience, it is the truly poignant representation of young queer people, that gives the anthology its much-deserved success.
This is for the readers who never saw themselves in their favourite escapist texts. It’s for the young people who grew up without a name for what they are, and those still struggling to find those identities. It’s a warm, tight hug, long overdue for the generations of queer young adults longing for a place in the world. An unexpected party contains an unashamed and beautiful honesty, carving out a space for broad, and ever resonant queer stories within the Australian YA cannon.
Recommended for readers 14+ Perfect read for fans of F. T. Lukens.
Reviewed by Jade Breen
