Midwinter - Softcover

Melrose, Fiona

Softcover

ISBN 10: 2710384477 ISBN 13: 9782710384472

Publisher: TABLE RONDE, 2018

Synopsis

Father and Son, Landyn and Vale Midwinter, are men of the land: Suffolk farmers. Times are hard as they struggle to sustain their property, livelihood and heritage in the face of competition from big business. But an even bigger, more brutal fight is brewing: a fight between each other, about the horrible death of Cecelia, beloved wife and mother, in Zambia ten years earlier. A past they have both refused to confront, until now.

About this title

Review

The opening scenes of Fiona Melrose's debut, Midwinter, could hardly be more gripping; but the novel she hangs on the hook of that action-packed beginning is something quieter, broader, and more considered than it initially gives you reason to expect . . . Finely judged writing like this comes from a place of instinct, and it marks Melrose out as someone to watch . . . Midwinter is a great success. (The Guardian, Book of the Day)

Melrose elegantly weaves narratives detailing the men's internal tumult with lush descriptions of their natural surroundings . . . A moving story about the cruelty of chance, modern masculinity and the transformative power of the bonds between men. (Financial Times)

I have rarely read a narrative voice as distinctive as Landyn's, and the loving depiction of regional English working-class masculinity is unusual and timely . . . This is certainly not a light-hearted book, but it offers the true consolation of some very good writing (Sarah Moss, TLS)

A fabulously frosty tale of the bleak Suffolk countryside . . with gorgeously understated prose and a keen eye for nature. It deserves to be read in front of a fire with the wind roaring outside. (Alex Preston, Observer)

Heartbreaking . . . We were immediately gripped by this story of grief, guilt and love - cosy up by the fireplace with a cup of tea and lose yourself into Fiona's powerful debut novel. (Hello magazine)

The descriptions of the natural world, both in Suffolk and Zambia, are impressive, but it's the portrayal of human despair that hits hardest . . . The novel is a penetrating study of grief and guilt (Daily Mail)

The emotions between the pair are a hot, raw burn of guilt, recrimination and misplaced affection . . . It's a beautifully perceptive story that will stay with you. (Express)

In this quietly stunning debut the author Fiona Melrose has created a moving and astutely drawn playing out of a family crisis. . . . Fiona has that rarest gift of breathing life into her characters, as well as the worlds in which they live. (Essie Fox, author of Elijah's Mermaid)

A breathtaking debut novel (Readers Digest)

Melrose balances the dark topics of her debut with a dash of optimism. (Daily Record)

Visceral, beautiful and heartwrenching (Morgan McCarthy, author of The House of Birds)

A beautifully perceptive debut (Psychologies magazine)

It's difficult to write about grief in such a way that it doesn't weigh down the words but with her debut novel, Fiona Melrose has tackled the topic with a vitality that draws you in. A beautiful and engaging read. (Image magazine)

Book Description

A heartbreaking story about a farming family, set between Suffolk and Zambia. Midwinter is a story of grief, forgiveness and family love.

About this edition

• Publisher: TABLE RONDE
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 2710384477
• ISBN 13: 9782710384472
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304