Author:Susanna Tamaro,John Cullen
Marta is raised by her grandmother in her house in Trieste, a safe haven of stories, books and enchantment. She knows that her mother died when she was young, and she believes that her father is a Turkish prince. But, as she grows older and this fairy tale disintegrates, Marta feels only anger towards her grandmother for withholding information about her parents.
When her grandmother dies, Marta is alone in the world. One day, in the dusty attic, she finds a box belonging to her mother which may help to uncover her own past. With clues found in her mother's journal and a worn photograph, Marta decides to track down her father, who she believes may still be alive. Feeling the need to escape her grandmother's house, which is populated by secrets, Marta embarks on a journey to Israel, seeking what is left of her mother's family in an attempt to make sense of where she came from.
Written as a young woman's narrative addressed to the memory of her grandmother, Listen to My Voice is a poignant coming of age story, and a beautifully crafted meditation on the importance of history and belonging.
Tamaro writes with simplicity and clarity, and asks a great many questions of the universe
—— HeraldVivid characters...brilliant descriptions of nature... [A] unique, curious coming-of-age novel
—— IndependentAstonishing...his finest work
—— Azar Nafisi, Man Booker judge and author of 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' , GuardianWith its metonymic realism and fidelity to its characters, The General of the Dead Army reminds us why his work is so valued
—— New StatesmanLiterary gold dust - haunting, bleakly comedic and ultimately horrific
—— The TimesOne of the funniest books I have read in a long time
—— IndependentAn insight bordering on genius
—— Irish TimesMy favourite writer, and the best line-and-length novelist in the world
—— Nick HornbyA page-turner... Trainspotting gives lies to any cosy notions of a classless society
—— Independent on SundayThe Scottish Celine
—— GuardianOne of the most significant writers in Britain. He writes with style, imagination, wit and force
—— Times Literary SupplementWelsh has certainly described the world surrounding Edinburgh's underground drug movement with a most amazing intimacy
—— www.bfkbooks.com