AustLit

'Tango is a dance of passion. It draws partners into an intimate relationship. Sofia loves to tango but, as she dances, she is confronted by society’s infatuation with the young and the beautiful. In the painful aftermath of a brief affair, Sofia seeks to find out what she actually knows about herself and the past. She looks for answers in dark corners and begins to see the elusiveness of understanding and memory - the psychological space where recollection and loss collide. Readers who liked The Crystal Ballroom will love The Usual Story, a delicately fragmented story of memory, intrigue and passion.' (Publication summary)

‘Libby Sommer lays bare the foibles of human nature in her finely observed stories of love and loss in the singles dance scene. Brilliantly drawn with wit, compassion and poignancy, the characters you meet in The Crystal Ballroom are sure to remind you of someone - maybe even yourself.’ - Jan Cornall, Writer’s Journey

‘Libby Sommer exposes the secret lives of the singles who dance at the Crystal Ballroom. Authentic and powerful, this unique book will be loved by the dancers and readers.’ - Frida Kotlyar, ballroom, Latin and Argentine tango dancer

‘Libby Sommer’s fiction has wit but is essentially serious with a subtle but strong underlying pathos, a wry humour and accomplished satirical tone.’ - Amanda Lohrey, Patrick White Award winner

‘Sommer’s existentialism is one of the best and most articulate voices of middle-age angst ever.’ - Richard English, novelist and visiting lecturer, Brunel University London'

(Publication Summary)

'Set in urban contemporary Sydney, My Year With Sammy is the complex and poetic story of a memorable child.'

‘Parenting and grand-parenting are journeys without a compass. In My Year with Sammy, Libby Sommer gives us a raw, heart-rending, insightful and intimate story of one family immersed in the messiness of living with a child who is different. This is recommended reading in juxtaposition with the academic and ‘how-to’ material that is on the market. Something beautiful breaks through from the darkness.’ — Colleen Keating, author of A Call to Listen

‘Sammy is a wild, stubborn girl who is also endearing and fascinating. This is a compelling story of the challenges and joys of parenting, but at the heart of this book is an unforgettable portrait of a determined and unusual child. I loved this intimate, funny and very moving novel.’ — Andy Kissane

‘The strength of Libby Sommer’s work is its engagement with the contemporary mores and sexual manners of urban Australian life. Her Writing is notable for its sensitivity, honesty and humour. She is a chronicler of our times.’ — Amanda Lohrey (Publication summary)