Debut novel 'We Only Want What's Best' by Carolyn Swindell
Carolyn Swindell (Class of 1986) is a writer, producer and comedian now living in Sydney. Following a career that’s spanned two decades in corporate, politics and professional sport, she turned her attention to writing after the birth of her second child. Her short story ‘Brief Encounter’ was published in Lonely Planet’s The Kindness of Strangers and has been turned into an award-winning short film, Tango Underpants, which is currently being turned into a feature film. Her narrative journalism has appeared in most major publications in Australia and internationally.
Carolyn’s first solo stand-up show, Why DIY?, was short-listed for Best Comedy at the 2019 Sydney Fringe Festival and her second solo show, Nice Lady MP, completed a sold-out season at the Enmore Theatre as part of the 2022 Sydney Comedy Festival.
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We Only Want What’s Best is her debut novel. An original and gripping tale about class, power and the over-sexualisation of young girls, We Only Want What’s Best from debut Australian novelist Carolyn Swindell is an intense page-turner with a wry take on the world of children’s dance schools. This tense morality tale, set entirely during a 16-hour flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, deliberates what crosses the line when it comes to art. A dance mum herself and coming from a political background as an advisor to the Howard and Kennett Governments, Carolyn deftly explores class, power and exploitation through the microcosm of the dance world. She was motivated by the court case of a Sydney dance-school teacher who was jailed for multiple child sex offences in 2016, as well as the contentious work of Australian contemporary art photographer Bill Henson which has fuelled discussions around child abuse, pornography and grooming. ‘I had to ask myself, what would I do if I was confronted with images that I found disturbing but was told they were art?’ says Carolyn. ‘Would I be brave enough to admit my ignorance?’
We Only Want What’s Best follows two very different women, Bridget and Simone, who aren’t friends, but as their daughters are in the same dance troupe – Expressions – they must keep up appearances as they fly to Los Angeles to support the girls in performing at Disneyland. Simone’s daughter Zahra is indisputably a leader in the group and knows how to wield her power over others,
while Bridget’s shy and naive daughter, Becky, is a talent on the rise. An unexpected upgrade sees young, single mum Bridget moved to business class and seated with arts journalist Simone and her husband Glen, a real estate mogul and aspiring politician. Despite feeling out of her depth, Bridget is pleased to find that she and Simone share a lot in common, and the flight goes smoothly. That is, until Bridget discovers shocking images of Zahra and other Expressions dancers on an old USB.
A fierce examination of their dance world ensues as questions are asked and accusations thrown. Tensions rise, and there’s no way for anyone to escape. For two very different families, what unfolds over the pressure-cooker environment of a long-haul flight will shock and threaten to destroy them. We Only Want What’s Best is an emotionally charged look at the real dangers that can arise when someone in power goes too far.