Michell de Kretser is one of Australia's most important writers over the last 25 years. Born in Sri Lanka, she moved to Australia when in her teens, and published her first book in 1999, and has published 8 books and won numerous awards. Her novels are characterised by their international focus, her characters are varied, many of them have travelled widely or are migrants, and have a global perspective. Scary Monsters is two books in one, they can be read in any order, and their connection is thematic rather than directly linked. One is set in 1980, in it an Asian-Australian character, Lili, travels alone to France to teach, and experiences racism, loneliness and hostility. The other is set in near-future Australia, and has a dystopian tone - Islam has been banned, most of the country is on fire, the government is taking steps to free up housing by euthanising the elderly...shocking and disturbing , but not entirely implausible. This is an original novel, and a very good one. I look forward to her next work.