Crooked Heart - Hardcover
Longlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, 2015
When Noel Bostock – aged ten, no family - is evacuated from London to escape the Blitz, he ends up living in St Albans with Vera Sedge - thirty-six and drowning in debts and dependents. Always desperate for money, she’s unscrupulous about how she gets it.
Noel’s mourning his godmother, Mattie, a former suffragette. Brought up to share her disdain for authority and eclectic approach to education, he has little in common with other children and even less with Vee, who hurtles impulsively from one self-made crisis to the next. The war’s thrown up new opportunities for making money but what Vee needs (and what she’s never had) is a cool head and the ability to make a plan.
On her own, she’s a disaster. With Noel, she’s a team.
Together they cook up an idea. Criss-crossing the bombed suburbs of London, Vee starts to make a profit and Noel begins to regain his interest in life.
But there are plenty of other people making money out of the war and some of them are dangerous. Noel may have been moved to safety, but he isn’t actually safe at all...
When Noel Bostock – aged ten, no family - is evacuated from London to escape the Blitz, he ends up living in St Albans with Vera Sedge - thirty-six and drowning in debts and dependents. Always desperate for money, she’s unscrupulous about how she gets it.
Noel’s mourning his godmother, Mattie, a former suffragette. Brought up to share her disdain for authority and eclectic approach to education, he has little in common with other children and even less with Vee, who hurtles impulsively from one self-made crisis to the next. The war’s thrown up new opportunities for making money but what Vee needs (and what she’s never had) is a cool head and the ability to make a plan.
On her own, she’s a disaster. With Noel, she’s a team.
Together they cook up an idea. Criss-crossing the bombed suburbs of London, Vee starts to make a profit and Noel begins to regain his interest in life.
But there are plenty of other people making money out of the war and some of them are dangerous. Noel may have been moved to safety, but he isn’t actually safe at all...
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"Prepare to be charmed, amused and moved . . . A complete delight" (January Book Club Pick Mail on Sunday)
"Dazzling...a miniature masterpiece of serio-comic writing...A dark comedy, moving between drollery, pathos, farce and harrowing moments of tragic insight" (Guardian)
"I loved this book - Lissa Evans is a wonderful writer; Vee and Noel are utter originals, and their journey made me laugh and cry" (JoJo Moyes)
"Wonderfully vivid and eccentric...there's a good dash of sharp comedy to offset the heart-warming stuff" (Kate Saunders The Times)
"A fabulous novel about the relationship between ten-year-old Noel and his unscrupulous but endearing foster mother, Vee Sedge" (January Book Club Pick Woman & Home)
Book Description:
"Dazzling...a miniature masterpiece of serio-comic writing...A dark comedy, moving between drollery, pathos, farce and harrowing moments of tragic insight" (Guardian)
"I loved this book - Lissa Evans is a wonderful writer; Vee and Noel are utter originals, and their journey made me laugh and cry" (JoJo Moyes)
"Wonderfully vivid and eccentric...there's a good dash of sharp comedy to offset the heart-warming stuff" (Kate Saunders The Times)
"A fabulous novel about the relationship between ten-year-old Noel and his unscrupulous but endearing foster mother, Vee Sedge" (January Book Club Pick Woman & Home)
The acidly heartwarming tale of the relationship between a WW2 orphan evacuee and his foster mother set against the backdrop of the Blitz. Longlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, 2015.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDoubleday
- Publication date2014
- ISBN 10 0385614330
- ISBN 13 9780385614337
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages288
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Crooked Heart
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR006313002
Buy Used
£ 3.18
Convert currency
Stock Image
Crooked Heart
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR007008162
Buy Used
£ 3.18
Convert currency
Seller Image
Crooked Heart
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Seller Inventory # wbs1116696289
Buy Used
£ 3.14
Convert currency
Stock Image
Crooked Heart
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1716457592. 5/23/2024 9:46:32 AM. Seller Inventory # U9780385614337
Buy Used
£ 5.67
Convert currency
Stock Image
Crooked Heart
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G0385614330I3N00
Buy Used
£ 13.07
Convert currency
Stock Image
Crooked Heart
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Ex-library, so some stamps and wear, but in good overall condition. Our donations to The Rainbow Centre have helped provide an education and a safe haven to hundreds of children who live in appalling conditions. Seller Inventory # Z1-EE-025-00316
Buy Used
£ 3.25
Convert currency