Author:Vendela Vida

A gun is pointed at 21-year-old Ellis as she walks through a New York park. Although she escapes unharmed she is left psychologically reeling. Over the next few weeks Ellis keeps everyone at bay: the police, suitors who want to save her, and the university therapist who hints that her sweaters are too tight. But when Ellis accompanies her mother, a nurse, on a mission in the Philippines, she finds the life - even if held up - cannot be held back, and neither, finally, can she.
The First Lady of Alt Lit
—— VogueConsistently a pleasure to read
—— Independent on SundayA sneakily engaging and ultimately astounding first novel... A delight from the first page to the last
—— Big IssueA spare but polished miniature that isn't ashamed to strive for small truths instead of great lumbering ones
—— New York Times Book ReviewUtterly gripping, a book to be read in one sitting
—— Times Literary Supplement






