Description

Helen Stockton DeFoe’s world disintegrates after her mother is gunned down on the streets of Richmond. The more intently she begins to observe her remote, detached father, the more she learns about her place within the rarefied world she inhabits.

Just when it appears she is at last becoming closer to him, it all falls apart as he coldly undermines her abiding passions, causing her to question the identity she’s created. Her rebellion leads her to Europe on a disturbing path dominated by chance and evolving self-realisation.

A hugely impressive, beautifully written debut novel narrated by an increasingly obsessive teenager as she embarks on a physical and psychological journey towards maturity.

Publisher Review

'Arresting ... It's a novel about learning to give and receive love, which Battersby laces with welcome touches of humour' Sunday Herald. 'Readers will find pleasure at every turn of the page' Jennifer Johnston. 'A wonderful debut from a wonderful critic daring to turn her hand to fiction' John Banville. 'Bold and beautiful ... the ending truly floored me' Neil Jordan.