‘This book is a glowing achievement by one of the best essayists of her generation’ Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff
‘Witty, fresh and full of life’ Liv Little
‘I can’t recommend more highly… it’s one of those books that I just want to press in the hands of everybody’ Damian Barr, Literary Salon Podcast
‘Beautiful and brutal… a breathtaking debut’ JOANNA CANNON
‘Dark, lyrical… impressive’ DAILY MAIL
‘An atmospheric slow burn… with a sense of forboding that grows with each page’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
‘Atmospheric and compelling’ KATE SAWYER
‘GRIPPING AND POIGNANT’RUTH HOGAN, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things
‘CLEVER AND ENTERTAINING’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
‘A THOUGHT-PROVOKING READ’ PRIMA
‘GRIPPING AND POIGNANT’ RUTH HOGAN, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things
‘CLEVER AND ENTERTAINING’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
‘A THOUGHT-PROVOKING READ’ PRIMA
‘Moving and vital’ i NEWS
‘A beautiful book’ EVENING STANDARD
‘Deserves to be read by as wide an audience as possible’ DAILY MIRROR
Shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize 2023
‘A hugely impressive debut’ SARAH WATERS
‘[A] haunting and moving story’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘A powerful and inspired achievement. This one is not to be missed’ NATHAN HARRIS
’A haunting, powerful and utterly unforgettable read’ RACHEL HENG
*WATERSTONES WELSH BOOK OF THE MONTH*
Paris, 1891 Laura is living on the streets, far from the American Prairies where she was born. When rescued by the entrancing aerialists, Ena and Auguste Gaudron, she soon finds herself ensconced in the family hot air balloon business, and offered the chance to learn how to fly.
‘Devastating, deceptive and darkly funny’ SARAH WINMAN
‘It had me holding my breath!’ MARIAN KEYES
’I loved this novel. It was perfection. Highly recommend’ CECELIA AHERN
‘A stupendous novel… complicated, dark, funny and very human’ FERN BRITTON
‘It broke my heart’ Louise O’Neill
‘Hard-hitting’ The Times
‘Powerful and bittersweet’ Daily Mail
‘Beat[s] Normal People at its own game’ Harper’s Bazaar
‘A DAZZLING DEBUT’ SARAH WINMAN
‘FOR FANS OF ELENA FERRANTE…STUNNING’ WOMAN’S WEEKLY
‘VIVID AND AUTHENTIC’ WASHINGTON POST
‘NAOMI KRUPITSKY’S WORDS SING…I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN’ JOANNA GLEN
‘GRIPPING…A TENSE, NUANCED DEBUT’ PLATINUM
‘Unmissable’ STYLIST
‘A really gripping read’ TIMES RADIO
