This Lovely City

(Paperback)

---

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

*As seen on the new BBC TWO TV book club, Between the Covers*

Longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award

Indie Book of the Month for March, selected by the Booksellers Association
One of OBSERVERS 10 best debut novelists of 2020 / WOMAN & HOME Best of 2020 / EVENING STANDARD Best books of 2020 / MAIL ON SUNDAY 2020 Highlights / I Best of 2020

* * * *

Full of life and love . . . it made my heart soar, and should be on every Londoners shelf Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars

The writing is wonderful; Londons energy runs right through it; the characters leap off the page. I was truly sad to leave them behind Adam Kay, Observer

Convincing and involving Sunday Times

Fans of Zadie Smith and Andrea Levy wont want to miss Louise Hares enthralling debut novel Elle

* * *
The drinks are flowing.
The music is playing.
But the party cant last.

With the Blitz over and London reeling from war, jazz musician Lawrie Matthews has answered Englands call for help. Fresh off the Empire Windrush, hes taken a tiny room in south London lodgings, and has fallen in love with the girl next door. Lawrie has poured his heart into his new home and its alive with possibility. Until, one morning, he makes a terrible discovery.

As the local community rallies, fingers of blame are pointed at those who had recently been welcomed with open arms. And, before long, the newest arrivals become the prime suspects in a tragedy which threatens to tear the city apart.

Atmospheric, poignant and compelling, Louise Hares debut shows that new arrivals have always been the prime suspects. But, also, that there is always hope.
* * *

MORE PRAISE FOR THIS LOVELY CITY:

I loved, loved, loved it Cathy Rentzenbrink, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Act of Love

Full to the brim with such complete joys and heart-aching tragedies . . . you can feel the warmth and colour emanating from the pages Magic Radio Book Club

Reviews

Superb . . . compelling storytelling, beautifully drawn characters and atmosphere thats deeply immersive Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange

This Lovely City is a beguiling, atmospheric and important novel, with wonderful, memorable characters and a vital message about love, loyalty and hope Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman

This debut is a joy to devour. The characters are beautifully drawn. The tender, compelling storytelling is immersive and atmospheric. I believe Hare is a major new talent who delivers a vital message about love, loyalty and hope Adele Parks, Platinum

A story about solidarity and love but above all hope Zoella

A thought-provoking and imaginative debut that conjures up the experiences of the Windrush generation in post-war London. Heartbreaking but full of hope Woman & Home

Tense . . . this thoughtful novel captures what life was like for the Windrush generation Good Housekeeping

Poignant and authentic . . . its [Hares] steady, calm prose and the animating authenticity of her material that make it so hard to resist . . . theres] music, solidarity and courage to be found in pages laced with rum punch Observer

Hopeful and inspiring; the story of a man, his community and the country they strive to make home Abi Dare, Observer

Hares enthralling novel pulls off the rare trick of being a clever murder mystery, an evocative portrayal of Windrush London and a genuinely touching love storyi

Paints a vivid picture of what life was really like for the Windrush generation. Fans of Andrea Levys Small Island will love it Red

Mistress of suspense, Hare keeps us guessing to the last page. I loved the post-war atmosphere: bombed, broken London as a visual metaphor for the storys violence and racism Daily Mail

A poignant story of love, isolation and prejudice in a post-Second World War London Radio Times

Author Bio

Louise Hare is a London-based writer and has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London. Originally from Warrington, the capital is the inspiration for much of her work, including This Lovely City, which began life after a trip into the deep level shelter below Clapham Common.