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A Language of Limbs
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
14 posts | 10 read | 14 to read
'I loved it' Hannah Kent 'An instant queer classic' Benjamin Law The first love of a teenage girl is a powerful thing, particularly when the object of that desire is her best friend, also a girl. It's the kind of power that could implode a family, a friendship, a life. On a quiet summer night in Newcastle, 1972, a choice must be made: to act upon these desires, or suppress them? To live an openly queer life, or to try desperately not to? Over the following three decades, two lives almost intersect in pivotal moments, the distance between them at times drawing so thin they nearly collide. Against the backdrop of an era including Australia's first Mardi Gras and the AIDS pandemic, we see these two lives ebb and flow, with joy and grief and loss and desire, until at last they come together in the most beautiful and surprising of ways. A Language of Limbs is about love and how it's policed, friendship and how it transcends, and hilarity in the face of heartbreak. An unashamed celebration of queer life in all its vibrancy and colour, this story finds the humanity in all of us, and demands we claim our futures for ourselves. 'Poetic, fresh and mesmerising . . . I am desperate for more stories like this' Jessie Stephens Praise for A Language of Limbs 'A life-affirming, deeply felt novel of the decisions we make and the lives that unspool from them. To read A Language of Limbs is to be reminded of the power of queer joy and community. I loved it.' Hannah Kent 'Poetic, fresh and mesmerising, Hardcastle's work is like nothing I have ever read. A Language of Limbs is full of feeling; a love story about the family we make ourselves. Upon finishing this book I was overwhelmed by a sense of, more. I am desperate for more stories like this.' Jessie Stephens 'Dylin Hardcastle's novel carried me away like a tidal current. Expansive across time, yet intimate in its focus, A Language of Limbs is that rare book that's equally poetic and propulsive - with twin protagonists who are impossible to shake. Nothing short of an instant queer classic.' Benjamin Law
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squirrelbrain
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Thank you Barbara for my lovely gifts!

As you know, the tagged book has been on my radar for some time after all the Aussie Littens read it and raved about it!

And Slanting Towards The Sea is a fairly new addition to my wish list, having seen stellar reviews from @Jas16 @Lesliereadsalot .

I‘m looking forward to reading both at the same time/ similar time to you - maybe even a #buddyread at Gladstone‘s?!

Lesliereadsalot Two wonderful books! You will love them! 5d
youneverarrived These both sound fab! 5d
Jas16 So excited for you to read them both! 5d
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TrishB Loved the tagged one! 5d
ChaoticMissAdventures I have been wanting to read Language of Limbs, I hear great things! 5d
LeeRHarry Can‘t wait for your thoughts on the tagged book! I really hope you love it. 😊 5d
BarbaraBB Happy I made the right choice but I was fairly sure this time! I‘d love to do a buddyread at Gladstone‘s 😘 4d
BarbaraBB @Lesliereadsalot I bought them both because of your reviews! Copies for myself too 🤪 4d
Lesliereadsalot @BarbaraBB I‘m still thinking about Language of Limbs weeks later. My favorite book of the year.. 4d
BarbaraBB @Lesliereadsalot That‘s quite the recommendation! I‘ll read it next month! 4d
squirrelbrain Wow, that is some recommendation! @Lesliereadsalot 4d
squirrelbrain I‘ll try not to read one or both of them before Gladstone‘s then! 😜 @BarbaraBB 4d
BarbaraBB Fun! Just adding to the anticipation of that weekend! 4d
Lesliereadsalot @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain OK you two! What‘s Gladstone‘s because I‘m jealous whatever it is! 4d
BarbaraBB It‘s a library annex hotel in Wales where some Littens spend a few days each September. Last year I went for the first time. It‘s great. It‘s reading all day in the most gorgeous surroundings and catching up likeminded bookish people. Am I forgetting something Helen? Anyway, you‘re very welcome to join us Leslie 😀 4d
squirrelbrain No you‘re not forgetting anything @BarbaraBB apart from perhaps cake! You‘d be more than welcome to to join us @Lesliereadsalot - there‘s 11 of us this year, from the UK, Germany, the US and of course B from The Netherlands. It‘s in a month‘s time so maybe a bit short notice this year, but we‘ve already booked our slot for next year! https://www.gladstoneslibrary.org/ (edited) 4d
Lesliereadsalot @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Now I‘m really jealous! It sounds amazing. When are you going this year and next year? Is it Gladfest? 2d
squirrelbrain @Lesliereadsalot - it‘s Thursday 25th Sept until the Sunday. It‘s not actually Gladfest - we do our own thing. 😊 Next year will be roughly the same weekend. I hope you will think about coming! (edited) 2d
Lesliereadsalot @squirrelbrain Thanks for all the info on Gladstone‘s! I wish I could come this year, but I‘ll definitely try for next year. 🩷 2d
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review
Lesliereadsalot
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Pickpick

Two women in Australia, leading their separate lives, following their own paths. I can‘t say enough about the language of this book: powerful, mesmerizing, poetic. How about amazing? We don‘t even know their names, but we know them in the deepest sense. We see them, although often others can‘t. A boatload of stars for this book, do not miss it. And thanks a bazillion to @Jas16 How could anyone not love this book?

squirrelbrain Great review! I bought this last week and hope to get to it soon. 2mo
Lesliereadsalot @squirrelbrain You will love it! Now back to King of Ashes for camp! 2mo
squirrelbrain Yes, I‘m now about 1/3 of the way through King of Ashes. Just started this one though, and can‘t put it down. 2mo
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Lesliereadsalot @squirrelbrain Just looked that one up, sounds terrific! 2mo
Jas16 This made my day! Great review 2mo
BarbaraBB I can‘t wait to read this book too. Same goes for yours, @squirrelbrain 2mo
Cathythoughts Great review! I have it stacked already x 2mo
Lesliereadsalot @BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts This book is really something. 2mo
kspenmoll Wonderful review! Stacked! 2mo
Lesliereadsalot @kspenmoll You will love this book! 2mo
24 likes2 stack adds10 comments
review
Lindy
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Pickpick

Australian queer history, including the start of Sydney‘s Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, is showcased in this compelling dual narrative that begins in 1972 and spans two decades. Two vivid portrayals of young women & their romantic relationships. Being out (or outed) vs staying closeted: these two pathways lead to very different lives. The audiobook has two narrators and I loved it! #LGBTQ

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Lindy
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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… amidst the impossibility of it all, joy persists.

Prairiegirl_reading I love that picture!! ❤️🌈🏳️‍🌈 2mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian I was at Victoria Pride last weekend too!! Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 2mo
Lindy @Prairiegirl_reading Thanks. The school divisions in the Pride Parade made me very happy. 😊 2mo
Lindy @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian Yay! I enjoyed seeing so many participants on foot instead of the parade being predominantly truckbed floats. If you want to revisit your experience, I put together a compilation video that I will include at the end of my next Friday Reads. 😁🏳️‍🌈 2mo
dabbe 🌈🌈🌈 2mo
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review
TrishB
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Pickpick

What a wonderful read. Very cleverly done. Full of sadness and society‘s nastiness, but also hope, friendship and love.
A great read ♥️

squirrelbrain I‘m looking forward to this one! 2mo
Lindy I‘m a third of the way into this and thoroughly enjoying it. 🇦🇺😊 2mo
Cathythoughts Sounds great Trish , stacked 👍🏻❤️ 2mo
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TrishB @squirrelbrain @Cathythoughts hope you enjoy when you get to it! 2mo
TrishB @Lindy it‘s so well written ♥️ 2mo
squirrelbrain I bought it last week…so you never know! 😜 2mo
Lindy @TrishB Great characters and history/setting too 2mo
TrishB @Lindy absolutely! 2mo
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review
Jas16
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Pickpick

I could not have loved this book more. Two teenage girls in the 1970s experiencing their first loves, with other girls. They both choose different paths, one embracing her sexuality and the other trying to deny it. This book was devastating and beautiful and just gorgeously written. I will be spending the rest of the year trying to force everyone I know to read it, starting with all of you. All the stars.

BarbaraBB Stacking of course! 2mo
LapReader Also has another couple of books as Sophie Hardcastle. 2mo
Jas16 @LapReader Oh thank you! Is there one that you would recommend? 2mo
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Jas16 @BarbaraBB I have already started texting my friends to try to get them to stop what they are doing and read this. I hope you love it too. 2mo
LapReader Below Deck 2mo
BarbaraBB I ordered a copy 🤦🏻‍♀️😀 2mo
Lesliereadsalot Ordered this one pronto! 2mo
Jas16 @BarbaraBB @Lesliereadsalot please let me know what you think- even if you end up hating it. 2mo
Jas16 @LapReader buying a copy mow. Thanks. 2mo
BarbaraBB Will do! 2mo
TrishB I have just finished it. Loved it ❤️ 2mo
Jas16 @TrishB I may have just exclaimed , “oh, yay!” at my desk. Luckily my colleagues are used to my yelling at my computer 2mo
Lesliereadsalot Well…this book is simply amazing. About 1/3 of the way and it‘s blowing me away. Believe me, @BarbaraBB will love this book as much as you and me. 2mo
BarbaraBB @Lesliereadsalot I already purchased a copy! 🥰 2mo
Jas16 @Lesliereadsalot This makes me so happy! 2mo
Lesliereadsalot Truly magnificent. 2mo
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review
Amor4Libros
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Pickpick

There was a point while reading this novel where I almost gave up on it because I felt I was not getting it. But, I kept reading and it turned into one of the most beautiful examples of how the use of language can just turn your emotions into a rollercoaster.

Read this!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc #NetGalley

US Pub Date: 6/3/25

CarolynM It took me a while to work out the structure. I‘m glad I persevered 😊 4mo
Amor4Libros @CarolynM Me, too! What a wonderful book! 😃 4mo
54 likes2 comments
review
MrsMalaprop
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Pickpick

Book two from the 2025 Stella Prize long list finished. Can‘t recall how this came to be on my radar, but when I saw it recently announced on the longlist I bumped it up.
I really liked it. The first half felt a little bit clunky to me but then it hit its stride and I didn‘t want to put it down. Excellent #queerfic #ozfiction #bildungsroman

Jeg A top read for me so far this year. 5mo
45 likes1 comment
review
CarolynM
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Pickpick

It took me a while to realise what the author was doing here(I‘m a bit thick sometimes 🙄) but once I did it made a lot more sense. While I was moved by both strands of the story, the final coming together left me unsatisfied. For me, the 2 strands were uneven in their treatment of the inner emotional lives of the 2 central characters so it didn‘t quite add up. Nonetheless, Little Dave & their friends will stay with me for a while.
#ozfiction TW👇

CarolynM Lots of trigger warnings. Death of parent, child, friends. Illness. Violence. Homophobia. Transphobia. Too many others to list. 7mo
squirrelbrain Interesting review! 🤔 It‘s not out here until March. 7mo
Reggie You had me at the book cover. And then it‘s queer. Double had me. Stacked. 7mo
Centique @Reggie @CarolynM that cover is gorgeous isnt it? 7mo
Centique I dont think youve ever ever been “a bit thick” Carolyn! 💕 7mo
68 likes5 comments
review
Jeg
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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Pickpick

Excellent. A best read for me. So good I‘m going to get my own copy. Set in the 80s and forward it reminds us what is was like to be queer then. Characters are very real and the narrator/ narrators bring to life the feelings of living then. The novel has been optioned by Sony so I look forward to see this on the screen someday.
It is certainly a celebration of queer life warts and all. Loved it. One of my top reads for this year. ❤️

CarolynM Stacked 8mo
Jeg @CarolynM from what little I know of you 😊 I‘m thinking you will find this interesting. 8mo
CarolynM It certainly sounds interesting🙂 8mo
LeeRHarry I have this on hold at the library - hope it comes in soon 🤞☺️ 8mo
squirrelbrain Sounds great - stacking! 8mo
18 likes2 stack adds5 comments
blurb
Jeg
A Language of Limbs | Dylin Hardcastle
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A library visit to pick up tagged book and look what else I found.