Life Song

Mavis was born to be a songbird. Her parents named her after one, a bird with a distinctive song worthy of poetry. A survivor of domestic violence, single mother, Mavis, is doing her best to look after her young son, Dan. She certainly does not have the time or the confidence to pursue her almost-forgotten passion for performing. When a local band loses its lead singer, Mavis tentatively steps into the role. While Mavis does her best to strike a balance between being a good mother and being a good musician, she soon discovers that the road she is on is a lot harder than imagined. To succeed, she must overcome the legacy of abuse and find the courage to stay on course to her true north. But does she have what it takes to succeed? Will the tugs-of-war in the job and her personal life force her to step away from the spotlight for good? Can she control the beat of her own life song? Only one thing is for sure: this songbird is ready to fight for a better life.


Editorial Review: Christine M Knight's second novel LIFE SONG is a joyfully triumphant confection that resonates with layers of interest. The core of this novel centers on Mavis Mills' resolve to be in charge of her life and captain of her creativity. It is a story that celebrates the power of belief in oneself and of friends and supporters. LIFE SONG is a blend of wry humor and vivid storytelling. The outcome is satisfying without being cloying. There is sizzle but no awkward sex scenes to navigate. Relationships are deftly drawn and realistically portrayed reflecting the passion with which people live life. The story draws from three generations of women who learn to make their own brave, sometimes foolish, sometimes late-applied choices to achieve a better life. Male characters are as diverse and complex as the female characters. LIFE SONG is a snapshot of Australian lifestyle and culture in the 1990s. The author has some great insights about the emergence of women who lead their own bands. This is the sort of novel that delights on a day when the sofa calls. Its appeal is universal. To paraphrase Ian 'Molly' Meldrum — readers should do themselves a favor and go out and buy it. This is a winner for booksellers.