Dylin Hardcastle’s A Language of Limbs is a profound and compelling exploration of Queer identity set against a backdrop of 1970s and 1980s Australia. Written as part of their PhD in Creative Writing at UNSW, the narrative unfolds through two intertwined ‘limbs’, each following a distinct yet deeply connected journey of self-discovery.
Beginning in 1970s Newcastle, two teenagers are faced with a choice – to honour their identity or to hide it. ‘Limb One’ follows a teenager who, after being outed and thrown from her family home, finds solace and a new identity within Sydney’s vibrant Queer community. In contrast, the teenager of ‘Limb Two’ supresses her feelings and continues to wrestle with them as she navigates a life of heteronormative expectations and relationships.
The story spans three decades, with each limb ebbing and flowing against Australia’s changing social landscape. We see both women experience the pains of growing up, figuring yourself out, and falling in and out of love. But, A Language of Limbs is hardly an ordinary coming-of-age tale.
Hardcastle isn’t afraid to dig deep into the brutal realities of the time period – where Australia’s first Mardi Gras was met with police violence and discrimination, and the AIDS pandemic devastated Queer communities. The coexistence of joy and horror is continually touched upon in these pivotal moments, as Hardcastle masterfully depicts the fluid nature of grief and the beauty that can accompany it.
The novel’s standout moments are born from its character’s resilience in the face of devastating adversity. These times of grief are written with a heart-wrenching poignancy that frequently reduced me to tears. However, a prevailing sense of strength and resilience underscores even the book’s darkest hours.
Hardcastle’s prose is rich and affecting. Their exploration of family — both biological and chosen — will resonate deeply with readers. The depiction of Queer relationships, whether romantic or platonic, is tender and immersive. It’s a true celebration of how people can step into our lives and shape us for the better.
The two narratives are so closely connected that at times I wondered if we were watching different versions of the same life. Although this isn’t the case — there are two separate lives unfolding — the initial blending of these stories was somewhat confusing. Further into the story it becomes clear that Hardcastle is exploring two sides of the same coin.
This book was a joy to read, and I’m now eager to devour everything else Dylin Hardcastle writes. A powerful exploration of the complexities of love, grief and resilience, A Language of Limbs will stay with you long after you turn the final page. To echo Benjamin Law’s words from the back cover – this is indeed “an instant queer classic.”
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
A Language of Limbs by Dylin Hardcastle is available now from Picador Australia. Grab yourself a copy from a local bookshop HERE.
