Electric and Mad and Brave by Tom Pitts

Matt Lacey is in a mental health facility recovering from a breakdown. In an attempt to work through a mess of conflicting thoughts and feelings, he writes, unwinding the story of his adolescence with the beautiful, impassive, fierce Christina. As Matt delves into the more agonising moments of his past, he has to learn to look directly at the pain and love that have made him who he is now. Brazenly wearing its heart on its sleeve, Electric and Mad and Brave is a heightened and technicolour story about the soaring joy and numbing nightmare of being young and hopelessly in love. Praise for Electric and Mad and Brave'A moving and beautifully observed story of the tortures of youth. Quite wonderful.' - Nick CaveAn incredible debut, captivating and perfectly paced, Electric and Mad and Brave is everything we all love about Australian fiction. Pitts' writing is delightfully eerie, full of twists and revelations I never saw coming. We are reminded that the past never really leaves us and the most complicated relationship we ever have is the one with ourselves. - Jessie Stephens'Hauntingly beautiful, confronting to the point of despair and breathtaking in its originality.' - Kerry Armstrong'A stunningly tender, brave debut from a deeply talented new Australian writer.' - Clare Bowditch