One of Australia’s most beloved authors, Earls made his name with summery comic tales of tongue-tied romantics, showing particular ease at depicting men infatuated with, and slightly intimidated by, women who are better at life than them. Among his fine work for young adults, classics such as After January and Monica Bloom have a disarming straightforwardness.

His books are still promoted with the old “buy a Nick Earls novel and never be sad again” quote, but he has long since settled into darker territory, casting a wry eye over a world of middle-aged frailty, misplaced lust and frustration.

For someone who has been named a national treasure, he is still often taken for granted. Perhaps it’s his approachable prose and his knack for the comedy of embarrassment, but both belie his willingness to dig deep into contemporary malaise.

Read the full article at the Sydney Morning Herald.