Description

Shortlisted for the 2022 Jhalak Prize
Shortlisted for the 2022 Desmond Elliott Prize
Shortlisted for the 2022 British Book Awards, Book of the Year – Discover Award
Longlisted for the 2022 Gordon Burn Prize
Longlisted for the 2022 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize
Winner of a 2022 Somerset Maugham Award

Cabbages . . . The Turkish variety are prized for their enlarged leaf bud, that’s where we put the heroin . . .

There’s a stash of heroin waiting to be imported, and no one seems sure what to do with it . . . But Ayla’s a gardener, and she has a plan.

Offering a fresh and funny take on the machinery of the North London heroin trade, Keeping the House lifts the lid on a covert world thriving just beneath notice: not only in McDonald’s queues and men’s clubs, but in spotless living rooms and whispering kitchens. Spanning three generations, this is the story of the women who keep their family – and their family business – afloat, juggling everything from police surveillance to trickier questions of community, belonging and love.

Publisher Review

'Keeping the House is such a bold and yet poignant read: musical, nimble, affectionate and (thank GOD) rule-breaking.' Lisa McInerney----'Written with immediacy and poignancy, this is a powerful debut from an exciting and compelling new voice, I loved it.' Salena Godden----'Tice Cin has arrived. With a style all her own and a confidence that radiates off each page, poetry that renders settings and characters incredibly vivid. No impression will escape you.' Derek Owusu----'Keeping The House drew me in from the first few lines. A glorious novel which thrums with feeling, illustrating the London community with a sharp and confident eye. Her characters are full and sure, and traverse their world with humour, boldness and love. Hope fills these pages.' Caleb Azumah Nelson, author of Open Water ----'A brilliantly enthralling read. Tice Cin's potent crime caper marks the arrival of an intoxicating new voice.' Irenosen Okojie, author of Nudibranch----Bookseller quotes:----'A bold and assured debut that rethinks what a crime novel can be.' Ollie Simpson, Pages of Hackney-----'Tice Cin fuses wild lyricism with dreamy romance in a form as voracious and alive as her characters.' So Mayer, Burley Fisher Books ----'A swirling collage of a novel that explores the dark side of a London community with great energy and warmth.' Kate Ellis, Brick Lane Bookshop ----'The Great Tottenham Novel exists and it's called Keeping the House. I loved it.' Gary Perry, Foyles ----'Cin's natural poetry and the unique rhythm of her storytelling weave a spellbinding narrative through several generations of Turkish Cypriot family. A captivating read from a powerful new voice!' Antony Hurley, Burley Fisher Books