Description

 

When a little girl’s hair grows outrageously, one would simply know that a haircut is needed badly. But this option is out for Princess Melina, even though her hair grows unstoppably.

Her father, King Fartysand commands that her hair is never to be cut. So, her mother, Queen Laviniya, and her loyal followers take care of the Princess’ billowing metres of hair. When they and the Princess defy Fartysand’s command in small ways, he unleashes his windy revenge to ensure their obedience.

But on her nineteenth birthday, when Fartysand declares the Princess is to be married off, against her wishes, what will she do? Will she find a way to stop the madness and assert herself; free her people; take control of her massive hair, and live happily ever after? Or will she accept her ridiculous fate?

This whimsical, dystopian fairytale explores themes of courage, self-determination, and the importance of community spirit, inspiring readers of all ages to stand up against the abuse of power.

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge Inclusion

Unstoppable has been officially selected for inclusion on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge booklist, making it an officially endorsed resource for student reading programs across New South Wales schools.

AustLit Listing

Unstoppable is listed in the AustLit database, a unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling. As such, it is available to members of subscribing libraries, universities, schools, educational institutions, and other organisations.

Cover and Interior Design

The novel’s Cover designed by Diann Rodgers-Healey shows the main character of the story, Princess Melina with her extremely long unstoppable growing hair. 

Special Thanks are extended to Richard Healey for the interior book design.

Reviews of Unstoppable

“Poignant and hilarious in one! This delightful story of the brave princess with the unstoppably growing hair, her kind and principled mother who loved her daughter without judgment, and the despotic patriarch who was king, and who led by fear and his dreadfully smelly habits, is a poignant allegory of courage in the face of adversity. It is funny, but it is also empathetic and caustic, reflective of society’s greatest imperfections. If power produces the worst examples of leadership and kingship, then courage and determination in the face of the abuse of power, is a given. And who could forget the friendship and trust in the end of team Orion and Melina, the basis of all the best teams?

Yet the most resounding words are those of Queen Laviniya to her daughter Melina in the end, words all mothers should be able to say to their daughters, when they have both experienced cruelty;

“Melina, putting up with your father’s cruel demands and standing up to him, all took immense courage. You lived carrying all that hair for decades, enduring all the pain and his hate. You lived with it knowing he is your father. I merely spoke some words of support now and again. You are phenomenal darling and your life is one of courage and bravery all the way through. Please never forget that.”

Nazhat Shameem

“Diann has in effect written what I would describe as a whimsical, dystopian fairytale that explores themes of courage, self determination, and defiance, all set within a fictional, dysfunctional kingdom where a Princess with untameable hair (with an equally untameable spirit) strives to surmount the selfishness of the despotic, controlling King.

The fable-like quality of this story resonates with other themes – notably, a mother’s love, loyalty, the importance of community spirit & cooperation, and kindness. Above all, it’s about finding the courage to stand up for yourself, to dare to challenge autocratic power even in a familial setting, and finding your own true self. The princess’s hair is both a metaphor for the things in our life that are inherent parts of ourselves, and the things that weigh us down, also.

A parable for life.”

Natalie J. Keene

“The book was very interesting to read and had funny character names. It had an exciting and creative plot. I liked how the mother stood up for her daughter and the way the kingdom loved the princess.”

Review by Alyssa-age 13 on Good Reads

“I really enjoyed Unstoppable. What stayed with me most was how patriarchy was exposed through humour. King Fartysand’s control over Melina’s hair is so petty and absurd that it lays bare how arbitrary that kind of power really is, and his ‘windy revenge’ made me laugh while still showing how fear keeps a whole community obedient. I also loved that the resistance comes from the women around Melina, and that her fight against being married off becomes a fight for everyone’s freedom. It’s a clever, joyful way to get young readers thinking about equality, I’d recommend this!”

Review on The StoryGraph by SK2689