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  • Published: 18 July 2023
  • ISBN: 9781761344039
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 416
  • RRP: $22.99

The Sparkle Pages




A wonderfully original and heartfelt comic novel about one woman's mission to reignite the passion in her marriage - and rediscover herself.

Bridget Jones meets Eleanor Oliphant in the ‘up-lit’ debut of the year.


‘Is marriage just a series of texts about where the children are and whether we need milk until one of you dies?’

Susannah Parks – wife, mother, cleaner of surfaces and runner of household – is a viola virtuoso. Except she hasn’t picked up a viola for over a decade. She has, however, picked up a lot of Lego, socks, wet towels and other exhibits of mundanity. She has also picked up on the possibility that her husband has lost interest in her. (And frankly, she’s not very interested in Susannah Parks either.) But this year, she has resolved to be very interesting. Also thoughtful, useful, cheerful, relevant, self-sufficient, stylish, alluring and intelligent.

In her highly confidential diary, Susannah documents the search for the elusive spark in her marriage, along with all the high and low notes of life with her four beloved children, with her free-spirited (and world famous) best friend Ria, and with Hugh, the man who fills her heart with burning passion and her washing pile with shirts.

And perhaps amid the chaos she might be brave enough to find the missing pieces of herself.

WARNING: CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE, SEX SCENES AND FANTASIES ABOUT HUSBANDS UNPACKING THE DISHWASHER.


'One of the most highly anticipated Australian debuts of the year….there are funny, laugh-out-loud bits everywhere … entertaining, emotional, full of lunatic charm’ BETTER READING

  • Published: 18 July 2023
  • ISBN: 9781761344039
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 416
  • RRP: $22.99

About the author

Meg Bignell

Meg Bignell was a nurse and a weather presenter on the telly before she surrendered to a persistent desire to write. Since then she has been writing almost every day – bits and pieces here and there, either to earn a crust, to get something off her chest or to entertain herself. She has written three short films, mostly because she wanted to do some acting and no one else would cast her. She sings a bit too, occasionally writes and performs cabaret, but is mostly very busy being a mother to three and a wife (to one). She lives with her family on a dairy farm on Tasmania’s East Coast.

Also by Meg Bignell

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Praise for The Sparkle Pages

one of the most anticipated Australian debuts of the year

Better Reading

‘a hilarious, heartwarming - and at times heartbreaking - tale of Hobart wife and mother who is looking to reignite the spark in her marriage'

Linda Smith, Hobart Mercury

It’s been a while since a book has both made laugh out loud, and moved me to tears… The author’s writing shines as she deftly steers the reader through sadness and joy…The Sparkle Pages is witty, wise, honest and moving. A glittering debut from Australian author Meg Bignell, it’s my favourite read so far this year.

Book'd Out

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The Sparkle Pages by Meg Bignell

A wonderfully original and heartfelt comic novel about one woman's mission to reignite the passion in her marriage - and rediscover herself. Learn more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-sparkle-pages-9780143790440

Article
How to get your sparkle back

Meg Bignell, author of The Sparkle Pages, shares her ten tips for being your best sparkly self.

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The Sparkle Pages book club notes

Gather your best book buddies for a memorable discussion around marriage, motherhood and fantasies about husbands unpacking the dishwasher.