Description

Norwich, 1901: Edith Holler spends her days among the eccentric denizens of the Holler Theatre, warned by her domineering father that the playhouse will literally tumble down if she should ever leave.

Fascinated by tales of the city she knows only from afar, young Edith decides to write a play of her own about Mawther Meg, a monstrous figure said to have used the blood of countless children to make the local delicacy, Beetle Spread. But when her father suddenly announces his engagement to a peculiar woman named Margaret Unthank, Edith scrambles to protect her father, the theatre, and her play-the one thing that’s truly hers-from the newcomer’s sinister designs.

Teeming with unforgettable characters and illuminated by Carey’s trademark illustrations, Edith Holler is a surprisingly modern fable of one young woman’s struggle to escape her family’s control and craft her own creative destiny.

Publisher Review

‘An extraordinary achievement: funny, troubling, playful, magical and vastly energetic – sometimes all at once. Edith herself is a fierce, strange creature and entirely unforgettable. Hold on to your hat – and avoid the Beetle Spread’ – A.L. Kennedy

‘Edward Carey excels in writing – and drawing! – peculiar characters, and the cast he creates for the macabre and fun Edith Holler is no exception’ – NPR

‘Singular – a dark delight from beginning to end’ – Erika Swyler, author of The Book of Speculation

‘Eldritch, raucous, blistering, beautiful, totally indelible’ – Maria Dahvana Headley, author of The Mere Wife

‘An enjoyably uncategorisable and atmospheric book, a richly dark and idiosyncratic fairytale for grownups.’ – Joanna Quinn