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Absolutely Revolting
ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize

Patterns in Nature

Winner of the 2012 Jolley Prize
by Sue Hurley •
September 2012, no. 344

In 1979 in the town of Paradise Lake, women of fifty favour blue knitwear and Peter Jackson cigarettes. They cook sponges without a recipe, don’t mind a brandy and dry, and love their grandchildren with an intensity that takes some of them by surprise. They’re most readily distinguished, one from another, according to their golf handicaps and the generosity of their judgements.

 


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Comments

Julia Alder
Thursday, 14 May 2020 20:44
Sue Hurley conjures up more by what she leaves unsaid. Her delicious descriptions of people and objects filled me with nostalgia. This is a beautiful piece of writing that I read again and again during the days of Covid-19.
Su
Monday, 15 February 2016 22:18
This story moved me. I read it over, and over again.
George
Friday, 01 August 2014 16:27
One gorgeous story... Congratulations!

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