Sal

(Paperback, Main)

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Description

An Observer 'New Face of Fiction 2018'

This is a story of something like survival.

Sal planned it for almost a year before they ran. And now Sal knows a lot of stuff. Like how to build a shelter and start a fire. How to estimate distances, snare rabbits and shoot an airgun. And how to protect her sister, Peppa. Because Peppa is ten, which is how old Sal was when Robert started on her.

Told in Sal's distinctive voice, and filled with the silent, dizzying beauty of rural Scotland, Sal is a disturbing, uplifting story of survival, of the kindness of strangers, and the irrepressible power of sisterly love; a love that can lead us to do extraordinary and unimaginable things.

Reviews

Kitson writes clearly and concisely . . . The girls' capability, humanity and humour are inspiring and wonderful. Sal is an ambitious and skilled novel. Literature needs more stories like this -- JENNI FAGAN * * Guardian * *
Atmospheric . . . Distinctive . . . A vivid, moving tale about the strength of sisterhood and the struggle to survive -- Anita Sethi * * Observer * *
Kitson inhabits the girls' voices with credible authenticity . . . This short, impressive debut is an uplifting tale of survival, shot through with humour, compassion and humanity * * Mail on Sunday * *
Powered by Sal's innate sense of justice and her fierce love for her sweary, show-stealing sister, this original, bittersweet tale effortlessly beguiles * * Daily Mail * *
Incredibly engaging . . . Mick Kitson's depiction of the siblings' relationship is spot on, as is his description of the beauties of the natural world as seen through Sal's eyes . . . [A] gutsy debut * * Sunday Express * *
Sal is an inspiring novel that feels honest and fastidious. It introduces the theme of redemption and fresh beginnings without shying from the awful truth * * Financial Times * *
Just wonderful. A breath of fresh air in a book. Sal is a story with incredible heart, told so beautifully and with such clarity and grace I can hardly believe it's a debut! I loved it -- JOANNA CANNON, author of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP
A striking and stark debut novel . . . Beautifully done -- Stuart Kelly * * Scotland on Sunday * *
Endearing . . . A wake-up call about how society fails women in poverty, with Sal's precocious ability to fend for herself ultimately standing in for her ability to survive the misery at the book's heart * * Metro * *
Daring and original . . . Manages to feel both contemporary and timeless, both heart-rending and uplifting . . . Sal deserves to be one of this year's hits * * Observer * *

Author Bio

Mick Kitson was born in South Wales, and studied English at university before launching the prolific 80s pop band The Senators with his brother Jim. He worked as a journalist for several years, then went on to become an English teacher.

Mick lives in Fife, Scotland with his wife Jill and bad-tempered dog Lucy. He has three grown-up children, and spends more time than is good for him fly-fishing for sea trout, reading, playing the banjo and growing strawberries. He also builds boats. Sal is his first novel.