The Underworld

Martha Mullins is a misfit. Her mother is glamorous, aloof and judgemental. Her father, mostly absent. Academic and shy, she finds herself fascinated by the underworld, a place she learns about in Roman mythology classes at school. To Martha, the underworld and its divine inhabitants provide a place of refuge, escape, imagination and desire.

How will Martha find her way in the world where she cannot be herself? How will she find a home for the love she feels?

The Underworld is a wondrous novel from an award-winning author who wields her considerable powers with assuredness and grace. Funny, brave, insightful and clever, Martha will break your heart – then mend it – many times over.

About Sofie Laguna

Sofie Laguna originally studied to be a lawyer, but after deciding law was not for her, she moved to Melbourne to train as an actor. Sofie worked for many years as an actor before she began to write books.

Sofie’s second novel for adults, The Eye of the Sheep won the 2015 Miles Franklin Award. It was also longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin International Book Award and shortlisted for the Stella Prize. Sofie’s first novel for adults, One Foot Wrong, published throughout Europe, the US and the UK, was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and short-listed for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. Sofie’s third adult novel, The Choke, won the 2018 Indie Award in the Best Novel category, and was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier Literary Awards, the Australian Book Industry Awards, the Voss Award, the Australian Literary Society Gold Medal, and longlisted for the Stella Award, the Kibble Award, the Colin Roderick Literary Award and the IMPAC Dublin International Book Award. Sofie’s most recent novel for adults, Infinite Splendours, won the 2021 Margaret and Colin Roderick Literary Award and the HT Priestley Medal, and was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, the Indie Award and the Australian Book Industry Awards.

Sofie is now an award-winning author for children and adults. Her many books for young people have been published in the US, the UK and in translation throughout Europe and Asia. She has been short-listed for the Queensland Premier’s Award, and her books have been named Honour Books and Notable Books by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Titles include ‘Too Loud Lily’, ‘Our Australian Girl: Meet Grace’ and ‘Bird and Sugar Boy.’

Sofie has recently released a number of books for children, including the novels, The Song of Lewis Carmichael, and The Glow, both illustrated by her husband, Marc McBride.

Sofie’s next picture book for children, The Last Egg, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, with Allen and Unwin, will be published in June, 2025.

Sofie is also thrilled to announce her new novel for adults, The Underworld, with Penguin Books Australia, October 28.

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