Shadowstory

(Paperback)

---

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A compelling novel of complicated love, from one of Ireland's greatest living writers.

It is the Second World War, and tragedy strikes many families in Ireland. But it is also a thrilling time in which to be a child and Polly, spending months at her grandparents' house by the sea, barely notices the adults' grief and their efforts to escape the tyranny of religion and family expectation. However, in time Polly too will have a secret. No one else knows the location of her beloved uncle, Sam, barely older than Polly herself, who is meant to be in Cambridge but is dreaming of Communist Cuba, while his decimated family fears losing another son. And, as Polly shyly approaches womanhood, her love for Sam turns into something more explosive.

Reviews

Roddy Doyle called Johnston the best writer in Ireland. Mesmerising, powerful fiction * Red *
Has many pleasures to offer the reader: elegance of style, sureness of touch, and above all the author's radiant descriptive gift * Independent *

Compelling and very beautiful

* Spectator *

Her writing is a joy: dialogue snaps with life while Johnston's distinctive prose is at once supremely comfortable and delightfully brisk

* Daily Mail *

Author Bio

Jennifer Johnston is one of the foremost Irish writers of her, or any, generation. She has won the Whitbread Prize (THE OLD JEST), the Evening Standard Best First Novel Award (for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS), the Yorkshire Post Award, Best Book of the Year (twice, for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS and HOW MANY MILES TO BABYLON ). She has also been shortlisted for the Booker Prize with SHADOWS ON OUR SKIN.