A rising international literary star makes her American debut with this visceral, tender, and brave portrait of addiction, recovery, and motherhood, as harrowing and intense as Shuggie Bain.
Sonya used to perform on stage. She used to attend glamorous parties, date handsome men, ride in fast cars. But somewhere along the way, the stage lights Sonya lived for dimmed for good. In their absence, came darkness—blackouts, empty cupboards, hazy nights she can't remember.
What keeps Sonya from losing herself completely is Tommy, her son. But her immense love for Tommy is in fierce conflict with her immense love of the bottle. Addiction amplifies her fear of losing her child; every maternal misstep compels her to drink. Tommy’s precious life is in her shaky hands.
Eventually Sonya is forced to make a choice. Give up drinking or lose Tommy—forever.
Lisa Harding, an Irish actress, playwright, novelist and screenwriter decided to change her life when she applied for the MPhil in creative writing at Trinity College Dublin as a mature student. She graduated in 2014, having pursued a tumultuous career as an actress until that time. She can now say, with some relief, that she is no longer waiting for her agent to call with that elusive audition. She is no longer waiting for others to make decisions about her creative output. Every day now, as a writer, she can produce work and practice her craft.
Theatre plays have been performed at the Project Theatre Dublin, Battersea Arts Centre and Theatre 503 in London. Short stories have been published in The Winter Papers, Bath short story anthology and the Dublin Review.
Harvesting, her first novel, published when Lisa was forty, won the Kate O’Brien award, was nominated for best newcomer at the Irish Book Awards 2017 and shortlisted for the Kerry Group Prize 2018. It has been translated into French by Gallimard press. A screen adaptation is currently underway with the director of the Derry Girls. BRIGHT BURNING THINGS, her second critically acclaimed novel, is published by Bloomsbury UK and AUS, Harper Via in the US, with translations into French and Swedish forthcoming in 2022. It has also been optioned for film. She is currently working on her third novel with the working title Truth Games.
Lisa believes it is never too late to start writing and find your voice. She loves to teach creative writing in Ireland and is grateful to have discovered her true calling later in life.
She is represented by Clare Alexander at Aitken Alexander in London.
My Thoughts...
This was an interesting read. The relationship between mother and son was very well done. I was left wanting a different ending, but I am really glad that I read it.
I gave this one 3 stars.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
Good post.
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ReplyDeleteThis one is going on my list.
ReplyDeleteI have missed you the last few days. Glad you are back. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this.
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