Description

FINALIST FOR THE 2022 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

The Birdcatcher is the new novel from a major voice in American literature, which explores artists in exile, dangerous relationships and the demands of creativity.

‘A literary giant, and one of my absolute favourite writers’ – Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage

‘I am living on the white-washed island of Ibiza with my friend Catherine Shuger, a sculptor who has been declared legally insane, and her husband, Ernest. Standing on the terrace, sheltered in the smell of oranges and eucalyptus, washed in sunlight, you’d swear this was a paradise. But to tell the truth the place is full of dangers. You see, Catherine sometimes tries to kill her husband. It has been this way for years . . .’

‘My name’s Amanda Wordlaw. Wonderful name for a writer, isn’t it? . . . I guess I’m sort of a choice companion for the Shugers – professional watcher and listener that I am. It’s like they need someone else to witness the shit, the spectacle they make of themselves.’

‘A fascinating meditation on Black female creativity from the author of Corregidora and Palmares . . . Vivid characters shimmer through the pages’ Suzi Feay, GUARDIAN

Publisher Review

A literary giant, and one of my absolute favourite writers -- Tayari Jones After suffering the author's absence for far too long, we can rejoice at her return -- Robert Jones, Jr * New York Times * Gayl Jones is a literary legend . . . She has reimagined the lives of Black women across North, South and Central America . . . in a way no other writer has done -- Yara Rodrigues Fowler * Guardian *