A grieving Isaac and his curious new friend are unlikely companions. They don’t even speak the same language. But their chance encounter will transform Isaac’s life in ways he cannot yet imagine. Isaac and the Egg is a beautiful and quirky story that takes coping with grief and turns it upside down. My heart broke for Isaac and I felt an overwhelming sense of tenderness for Egg. The characters and story were well developed and the twists and turns kept me engaged until the very end. This book needs to go to the top of your TBR pile, it won’t disappoint. I look forward to reading more from Bobby Palmer. Nicole, NSW, 5 Stars Isaac and The Egg was not the type of writing I am used to reading, as such, I did find it a bit unusual and abstract at the beginning, however, it does all start to come together and make more sense as you move through it. The story looks at grief and the range of emotions, thoughts and actions a person experiences with grief. As a person who has experienced grief myself, I could relate to the feelings. I am not exactly sure that I loved this book, but that is certainly more about my personal reading likes as I think it was a well written and interesting book. Sue, WA, 3 Stars It’s a tale that might seem familiar. A broken man and an unexpected guest, who can’t stay forever. But real life isn’t a story. I had no idea what to expect from this book, I went into it completely blind not knowing anything about it - and to be honest that was perfect. I don’t think anyone could have described this book to me anyway, if I had to tell you what this book was about I’d be lost for words.

First a confession; the love of my life died very recently so this book brought me to tears so very many times. But it also made me snort with laughter.

One of the reasons I like reading debuts is the marvel of the discovery of a new author who makes magic with words. The characterisation is superb, Isaac is grieving, his pain is raw and acute and he doesn’t know which way is up. He’s lonely, suffering, full of anger and his misery is palpable. As for the egg, you’ll have to encounter the wonder and sheer pleasure of that for yourself! This book is just sublime . . . It will be a crime if millions of people haven’t read it this time next year

Heartbreaking and heart-stealing, this bestselling modern-day fable is an unforgettable novel about sorrow, joy, friendship and love. I read it in one breath... true and tragic and funny and hopeful and big - big enough somehow to contain all of our stories and all of our lives inside it' JOANNA GLEN It’s a tale that might seem familiar. But how it speaks to you will depend on how you’ve lived until now.This is beautifully written, it’s captivating with a delightful blend of humour and the heart breaking. Some scenes are so vivid, so well described you feel like a fly on the wall observing the frequent chaos. Many of the incidents make me smile and I doubt I’ll ever open a tin of beans or look at a toaster in the same way ever again!!!! It’s creative in a myriad of ways, it initially seems straightforward but it’s a more complex tale than it appears at first glance. I love the clever use of film to make pertinent points and the delightful originality of some of the language. I have avoided the recent trend of books about grief and have issues with audio so this was another choice that perplexed me in hindsight – that was until I started listening. This book was completely bizarre in the best way. At first I was extremely sceptical, I thought the events in here were a tad silly but I really warned to the odd nature of it.There were several times in here that I actually laughed out loud. It was extremely well written and I had no idea where it was going, but the journey was completely worth it. When you get to the end of the book and things start unfolding so you get the full picture of what happened, I was utterly amazed. It was so well done and hit me right in the heart. I absolutely loved this book! A beautifully written story of navigating grief. Isaac Addy is devastated by the sudden loss of his beloved wife Mary. As he stands on a bridge preparing to end his life, he hears a strange scream in the woods which breaks him out of his suicidal trance. The creature Isaac discovers and takes home is instrumental in helping him navigate his nearly unbearable grief. There is so much humour and love and sadness in this story! The surprise twist is hinted at strongly and easy to predict, but that doesn’t lessen its impact. A beautifully written debut novel. Denise, QLD, 5 Stars

Isaac has no idea where the egg has come from or what it’s doing there but he’s overcome with the need to protect it, so he bundles it up and takes it home. Isaac Addy is in een diep, donker dal beland, een dal waarin geen licht lijkt te kunnen doordringen. Sinds de dood van zijn grote liefde lijkt alles leeg en uitzichtloos en hij probeert zichzelf te verdoven om maar niets te hoeven voelen, hij heeft vrijwel iedereen van zich afgeduwd, verwaarloost zichzelf, is erg depressief en weet niet of hij nog wil leven. Op een dag staat hij op een brug, hij twijfelt of hij moet springen en hij schreeuwt… en dan schreeuwt er iets terug.This story is incredible. A tale so beautiful and funny and heart-warming, yet filled with the most evocative descriptions of grief I've ever read. It takes some authorly skill to have a character so bereaved that their mind breaks apart in the same chapter as a hilarious scene of a man and a creature playing baseball with the contents of the fridge.

When Isaac Addy walks into the woods on the worst day of his life and finds something extraordinary there, he already knows he’s going to take it home. Sometimes, to get out of the woods, you have to go into them. Isaac and the Egg is one of the most hopeful, honest and wildly imaginative novels you will ever read. What follows are some incredibly strange adventures which reveal the huge amount of pain Isaac is carrying. And while some parts are truly absurd, within Isaac’s world it all seems completely believable because his grief is so consuming and powerful that it feels real that he’s on the verge of despair or insanity.

Christmas Cards & Gift Wrap

Unique and very special is how I’d describe it, and a book you will probably always remember with great fondness and a lasting impression – I know I will. An arresting debut novel about grief, but in the most wonderfully oblique way’ REVEREND RICHARD COLES If that sounds like a lot, it is, and for all its magicality and whimsy and sheer endearing funniness at times, Isaac and the Egg doesn’t attempt, not once, to sugarcoat how utterly hard that whole journey is, and how even if something happens to you to begin reshaping things, which it most certainly does to Isaac Addy, that it’s not some overnight fix. Measured, comic and moving… A sad, funny and original novel about grief, loss and embracing change’ DAILY MAIL The two are unlikely companions. But their chance encounter will transform Isaac’s life in ways he cannot yet imagine.