True Stories

True Stories by Helen Garner is a collected short non-fiction treasure, gathering five decades of work from one of Australia’s most distinctive literary voices. It’s the kind of book that lets you dip in anywhere and immediately feel Garner’s sharp attention, moral curiosity, and unmistakable Melbourne-centred sensibility.

Across these essays and reportage pieces, Garner steps into places most of us only imagine: the morgue, a Russian ship, a maternity ward, a school dance, even a gun show. She writes candidly about ageing, dreaming, and the public storm that followed The First Stone, alongside award-winning true crime reporting on the murder of two-year-old Daniel Valerio.

Perfect for readers who love Australian essays, literary journalism, memoir-in-miniature, and true crime with empathy rather than sensationalism.

Add it to your shelf and discover why Garner’s non-fiction keeps finding new ways to stay close to real life.