Hugh Mackay in conversation with Catherine du Peloux Menagé

Social psychologist and bestselling author of The Kindness Revolution, Hugh Mackay, joins us in conversation with Catherine du Peloux Menagé from BAD Sydney for this special event.

Hugh will discuss his latest book, The Therapist, a powerful and poignant story of deception, ambiguity, lust and love – and the challenge of living with the consequences of our actions.

There will be an author signing after the talk for those that are interested, and EFTPOS will be available for book sales via credit card. The Therapist will also available for SMSA Members to borrow from the SMSA Library.

About The Therapist

The Therapist, from bestselling author Hugh Mackay, is a powerful and poignant story of deception, ambiguity, lust and love – and the challenge of living with the consequences of our actions. It is a vivid portrayal of the complexities of contemporary life.

Martha Elliott, maverick psychotherapist, harbours some dark secrets from her own past, and is more interested in achieving good outcomes for her clients than playing by the rules. Martha blends counselling with breathing exercises, meditation, foot massages . . . whatever it takes. In a series of intense encounters with her clients, deep insights and raw truths about human nature emerge, including reflections on the nature of psychotherapy itself. Rob, Martha’s colleague, is trapped in a tempestuous relationship with the beautiful and feisty Constancia, and Martha wonders if he will ever find the resolve to free himself. Samantha, Martha’s daughter, hears her biological clock ticking, but finding the right sperm donor is proving to be harder than she expected . . .

Then there’s the mysterious couple who arrive in Martha’s office.

Who are they?

And what is it that they know about her?

With tenderness and compassion, Hugh Mackay’s captivating new novel, The Therapist, explores some of the deepest yearnings of the human heart.

About Hugh Mackay

Hugh Mackay is a social psychologist and bestselling author. The Therapist is his ninth novel. His non-fiction writing covers social and cultural analysis, psychology, communication and ethics. Hugh is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and the Royal Society of New South Wales, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2015. He lives in Canberra.

About Catherine du Peloux Menagé

Catherine du Peloux Menagé is the Artistic Director of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, the premier writers festival for crime writing in Australia, as well as a facilitator at other writers’ festivals and literary events.  She is a lifelong reader of crime fiction and everything in print. Catherine was Director of the Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival at the Women’s Club from 2020-2021, co-founded the St Albans Writers’ Festival in 2015 and was its Artistic Director from 2015 to 2018. She has been a judge for the Ned Kelly awards and is a member of the Advisory Group for the Mark and Evette Moran NIB Literary Award.

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