The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt

<p><b>Longlisted for the 2014 Miles Franklin Literary Award</b></p> <p><strong>Tracy Farr’s acclaimed debut novel is the fictional memoir of Dame Lena Gaunt: musician, octogenarian, junkie.</strong></p> <p>''Compelling reading'' <strong>The Listener </strong></p> <p><em>I hold one regret from that day: that I put my first love, my cello, aside. But it was to take up a bigger love, a greater thing; it was to step into the future. Music''s Most Modern Instrument. And I was to become Music''s Most Modern Musician.</em></p> <p>Tracy Farr''s debut novel is the fictional memoir of Dame Lena Gaunt: musician, octogenarian, junkie. Documentary filmmaker Mo Patterson approaches veteran musician Lena Gaunt after watching her play at a festival in Perth: her first performance in 20 years.</p> <p>While initially suspicious of Mo''s intentions and reluctant to have her privacy invaded, Lena finds herself sharing stories from her past.</p> <p>From a solitary childho