Finalist for the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize and for the Governor General's Literary Award, this powerful new work, about a transgender sex worker in the red-light district of Bombay who is given an unexpected task, is a gripping literary page-turner--difficult and moving, surprising and tender. Anosh Irani's best novel yet, and his first with Knopf Canada. The Parcel's astonishing heart, soul and unforgettable voice is Madhu--born a boy, but a eunuch by choice--who has spent most of her life in a close-knit clan of transgender sex workers in Kamathipura, the notorious red-light district of Bombay. Madhu identifies herself as a "hijra"--a person belonging to the third sex, neither here nor there, man nor woman. Now, at 40, she has moved away from prostitution, her trade since her teens, and is forced to beg to support the charismatic head of the hijra clan, Gurumai. One day Madhu receives a call from Padma Madam, the most feared brothel owner in the district: a "parcel" has arrived--a young girl from the provinces, betrayed and trafficked by her aunt--and Madhu must prepare it for its fate. Despite Madhu's reluctance, she is forced to take the job by Gurumai. As Madhu's emotions spiral out of control, her past comes back to haunt her, threatening to unravel a lifetime's work and identity. This is a dark, devastating but ultimately redemptive novel that promises to be one of the most talked-about publications of the year.

Alex Brownlie reckons that something funny is going on with the big bullant nest on the hill behind his house. But it takes the arrival of his audacious cousin, Violet, who ignites a chain of events that ultimately lead to both Violet and Alex exploding into a world where they are definitely the odd ones’ out… Queen Hooey’s Nest is the story of the biggest and best bullant nest on Mount Majura. The Queen, Queen Hooey, is the number one ticket holder, former most beautiful and popular young bullant queen and owner of the enormous brain that creates the space for cousins Violet and Alex to move from the human world to the insect world. Come meet cousins Violet and Alex, the bullants, Queen Hooey, Prince Reggie and Nobby. Russell, Jonno and fat boy the Christmas beetles and the bad tempered ferocious Inchmen ants, plus many more interesting characters, in Queen Hooey’s Nest.

The gift of a lifetime? Anna Browne is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life. Her day job as a receptionist in bustling London isn't exactly her dream, yet she has everything she wants. But someone thinks Anna Browne deserves more . . . When a parcel addressed to Anna Browne arrives, she has no idea who has sent it. Inside she finds a beautiful gift - one that is designed to be seen. And so begins a series of incredible deliveries, each one bringing Anna further out of the shadows and encouraging her to become the woman she was destined to be. As Anna grows in confidence, others begin to notice her - and her life starts to change. But who is sending the mysterious gifts, and why? A Parcel For Anna Browne is an utterly captivating novel by Sunday Times bestselling author Miranda Dickinson.