Corowa author Luke Icarus Simon is preparing to release his eighth book, and debut novel, The Art in My Palm, which has received critical acclaim and a 9.5/10 review from Publishers Weekly.
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Simon is a Cyprus-born Australian playwright, screenwriter, actor and author who has made Corowa his home for the past eight years.
His poetry, essays, reviews and short fiction have appeared widely in national and international publications over the past 43 years.
He said his latest book speaks directly to today’s conversations around migration, cultural identity and resilience.
“2024 marked half a century since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leaving Nicosia the last divided capital city in Europe,” Simon said.
“The Art in My Palm sheds new light on the human cost of this conflict and contributes an important voice to Australia’s literary canon.
“I'm delighted that the new novel has already received significant literary recognition.”
The Art in My Palm is a deeply moving testament to survival, and the unbreakable will to create beauty from pain.
Set between the divided streets of Nicosia and the migrant suburbs of Australia, the novel is a poignant exploration of cultural identity, intergenerational struggle, and the healing power of art.
It has been described as a genre-defying novel, which blends fiction, memoir, dual narration, and real historical events.
“As the 51st anniversary of Cyprus’s division is marked in 2025, this timely and evocative novel sheds light on a legacy of colonisation, war, and resilience,” Simon said.
Luke Icarus Simon received a 9.5/10 review for his latest work.
The novel tells a coming-of-age story of Demosthenes, a teenage boy growing up in Cyprus during one of the island’s most turbulent eras.
When war erupts in 1974, Demosthenes’ young life is turned upside down.
Uprooted from the divided capital of Nicosia and resettled in Australia, his family fractures under the weight of displacement and trauma.
Demosthenes must confront the scars of abuse, the silence surrounding his emerging sexuality, and the longing to be seen.
The Art in My Palm is set for worldwide release by Stirling Publishing Australia from September 14, with preorders available from August 14.
