Prodigal: Shortlisted for the Polari Prize 2019

Charles Lambert is the author of several novels, short stories, and the memoir With a Zero at its Heart, which was voted one of The Guardian readers’ Ten Best Books of the Year in 2014.In 2007, he won an O. Henry Award for his short story The Scent of Cinnamon. His first novel, Little Monsters, was longlisted for the 2010 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Born in England, Charles Lambert has lived in central Italy since 1980.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZE 2019Praise for Charles Lambert:‘Charles Lambert could one day attain classic status' Maggie Gee‘Charles Lambert is a seriously good writer’ Dame Beryl Bainbridge'Charming, elegant and deeply poignant' TLSPraise for The Children's Home: ‘A beautiful and uncanny novel by a writer who never ceases to surprise’ Jenny Offill, author of Weather'Expertly crafted' Owen King, author of Double Feature'More delicate than Dickens and stranger than Snicket ... Sometimes heart-stopping, sometimes heart-warming, it is a provocative tale, ripe with intrigue. I loved every weird moment of it’ Nuala O’Connor, author of Miss Emily‘This disquieting novel is surely one of the year’s most bizarre stories… Mr. Lambert’s subtle prose enhances the novel’s creepiness, as does his refusal to fully resolve or explain its many mysteries' New York Times ‘Beautifully written and crafted, and more compelling than many thrillers’ Daily Mail‘Compulsively readable, a one-of-a-kind literary horror story’ Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review‘This genre-bending debut is by turns dread-inducing and heartwarming, a masterful exploration of whether innocence can truly sprout from ignorance….a magical, mesmerizing tale about the courage it takes to confront the unknown’ Booklist, STARRED review'Mesmerizing….The folkloric undertone and stylish prose, which is replete with gruesome and wondrous images, keep the reader turning the pages' Publishers Weekly'This genre-bending horror story is sure to haunt you in all the best ways' Bustle 'Best Books of the Month'‘Charles Lambert’s novel is entirely original … highly compelling and invigorating writing’ Lonesome Reader‘Charles Lambert has crafted an exquisitely strange and deliciously dark offering … the narrative itself will haunt his readers well beyond the margins of its pages’ High Voltage Magazine ‘A haunting Gothic in the vein of Shirley Jackson, steeped with the mystery and imagination of Neil Gaiman’s fairy tales. Lambert’s prose is beautiful and his tale is mesmerizing’ Cemetery Dance Online‘The Children’s Home is the best kind of ghost story – one that scares, one that surprises … and one that you simply can’t stop reading’ Maine Edge ‘… definitely recommend this if you’re in the mood for something a little creepy’ Bored to Death Book Club‘The Children’s Home may well be the most surprising, thought provoking and also baffling book I’ve ever read’ Bailieborough Library Reading Group‘Lambert is a brilliant writer, and his absorbing new novel, The Children’s Home, is the best literary fiction I have read in some time’ Seattle Book Mama‘A powerful construction of creeping dread which skilfully keeps the reader off-balance at every turn’ The Star