Mary Swann
‘One of the best novels I have read this year. It’s deft, funny, poignant, surprising and beautifully shaped.’ Margaret Atwood
Mary Swann, a latter-day Emily Dickinson, submitted a paper bag of poems to newspaper editor Frederic Cruzzi mere hours before her husband hacked her to pieces. How could someone who led such a dull, sheltered life produce these works of genius? Four very different people search for the elusive answer.
”'Quite excellent. Hers is a name to set beside those of Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro.” - Anita Brookner, Spectator
”'A funny, compassionate, open-handed novel. A worthy British debut from a fine Canadian author.” - Glasgow Herald
”'Formally ingenious and inventive, strikingly evocative of place, of character, of the world of things, capable of both comedy and tenderness, and above all beautifully written.” - LRB
”'Clearly a work of an experienced and skilful writer. This is not only a first-rate read, it is also sophisticated and ingeniously crafted.” - Listener
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