"A stunning dual narrative exploration of grief, creativity, love and bad decisions."
Jenny Downham is one of our foremost writers for young adults, winning national and international awards with her extraordinary debut, Before I Die, also becoming an Hollywood blockbuster, and now she here she is with another debut! This time as a coauthor for the first time with a novel which began as a lockdown writing challenge with her actor and playwright son, Louis Hill.
Together they have written an unforgettable and deeply moving novel about siblings Leah and Charlie, with each taking on one of the narrative voices. Both are trying to cope, in their very different ways, with the aftermath of the untimely death of their father from cancer. Leah is bearing the weight of familial responsibility since their mother collapsed into deep depression, unable to work and often unable even to leave her bed. The family were forced into eviction and rehousing and live a hand to mouth existence in deep poverty.
Leah is academically gifted with a bright university future ahead but doesn’t know how she could escape her responsibilities and has found the ultimate escape in a secret relationship with Alex, an older, married art gallery owner. Charlie is suffering real mental health issues which have caused him to self-isolate from his friends. Art is his escape and where he can confront his feelings about his Dad, but these drawings are secret too, for fear of adding to his sister’s burden or his mother’s depression.
The intensity of Leah’s passion for Alex and how Charlie can lose himself in his art is brilliantly evoked. The light in all their lives is their 7 year old sister Abby and her unquashable zest for life, despite everything. Perceptive and hilarious, Abby is often the catalyst for change as their secrets collide in ways which will change all their lives completely.
The way each alternating narrative builds up the back story and progresses the plot is stunningly well crafted. All the supporting characters, even the bad guys, are nuanced and credible. This compelling, sensitive novel is ultimately and very realistically hopeful, demonstrating how family, friends and community can pull you through the worst of times. Powerful, relatable and thought provoking, this is a story with profound impact and staying power.
Join LoveReading4Kids Editorial Expert Joy Court and LoveReading4Kids Ambassador Sophie Hall in conversation with authors Jenny Downham and Louis Hill.
| Primary Genre | Young Adult Fiction |
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