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The Art in My Palm

The Art in My Palm


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About the Book

The Art In My Palm is a genre-defying debut novel blending fiction, memoir, dual narration, and real historical events, to tell a queer coming-of-age story of Demosthenes, a teenage boy growing up in Cyprus during one of the island's most turbulent eras. As the 51st anniversary of Cyprus's forced partition is marked in 2025, this timely and evocative novel sheds light on a legacy of colonisation, war, and resilience.Set between the divided streets of Nicosia and the migrant suburbs of Australia, the novel is a poignant exploration of cultural identity, intergenerational struggle, and the healing power of art. The Art In My Palm is a deeply moving testament to survival, self-love, and the unbreakable will to create beauty from pain. In an extraordinary achievement for a debut novel, excerpts from The Art In My Palm have already been published in prestigious Australian literary journals including Southerly, Overland, and Famous Reporter.

About the Author :
Born in Old Nicosia, Cyprus now an Australian citizen.Simon is an Honours graduate from Sydney University where he started his theatre career and then earned postgraduate degrees from the University of Technology, Sydney and from Wollongong University. Simon worked as an actor, then worked as a teacher, principal, and an academic leader in the tertiary and vocational education sectors for 30 years. He currently lives in the southern Riverina region of NSW.

Review :
QUARTER FINALIST - GENERAL FICTION FOR THE 2025 BOOKLIFE PRIZE BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLYPlot/Idea: Simon's riveting novel follows the young Demosthenes, as he grows up in a Cyprus still ruled by England, with an absentee father and a strong, sharp mother. When a coup takes over the country and Turkey invades, Demosthenes's childhood is replaced by refugee camps and trauma, forcing his family's emigration to Australia, where he balances his coming-of-age with a loss of identity, poverty, and his burgeoning sexuality.Prose: Simon writes with polished ease, capable of evoking his characters' emotions as easily as he transports readers into the story's striking settings: the blistering summer heat beating across the rooftop terraces of Cyprus; Aunt Hara's chaotic, chicken-crammed village; the dusty, dirty terror of refugee camps.Originality: The Art in My Palm is a striking portrait of an individual search for belonging and safety, fashioned against the backdrop of a country at war making battle-worn immigrants out of its citizens.Character/Execution: Demosthenes's voice is strong and compelling, shaping his childhood events in tones that resonate. Simon frames the supporting characters' experiences in strong notes as well, particularly Demosthenes's mother, whose role shockingly transforms after being forced from her home. Themes of self-discovery, acceptance, the brutal effects of colonization, and forgiveness echo throughout.Score: Plot/Idea: 9 Originality: 10 Prose: 9 Character/Execution: 10 Overall: 9.50


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Product Details
  • ISBN-13: 9781763891517
  • Publisher: Stirling Publishing Australia
  • Publisher Imprint: Stirling Publishing Australia
  • Height: 216 mm
  • No of Pages: 352
  • Returnable: Y
  • Returnable: Y
  • Weight: 408 gr
  • ISBN-10: 1763891518
  • Publisher Date: 14 Oct 2025
  • Binding: Paperback
  • Language: English
  • Returnable: Y
  • Returnable: Y
  • Spine Width: 20 mm
  • Width: 140 mm


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