Long Going

Sophie Calon is anew young Welsh writer,born and raised in Cardiffduring the Cool Cymru era.Her writing was published inthe anthology Tales of TwoLondons, and has beenshortlisted for the 2021 WildWriting Prize and publishedby Short Fiction. She liveswith her husband, daughter,and their two cats on a hilltopnear Hay-on-Wye, wherethey are bringing nature backto their farm. Long Going isher first book.

‘Very touching’ JACQUELINE WILSON“Sophie Canon’s heartbreaking portrait of her alcoholic father combines a clarity about the selfishness of addiction with a deeply loving portrait of a generous, energetic and joyful person. It’s also a vivid portrait of growing up in Cardiff. This portrait pulls no punches but is, at the same time, profoundly life-affirming. Everyone who has an alcoholic in the family should read this book for its compassionate awareness of the damage and chaos caused by addiction, while never forgetting the humanity of the person caught in that trap. A wonderful book.” Gwyneth Lewis, author of Nightshade Mother“Hugely impacting and searingly honest, Sophie Calon's work is a powerful piece of memoir: bold, bruising and yet beautiful.”  James Canton, author of Grounded“Sophie Calon’s writing is deeply real and moving – she is a talent to watch.” Jessica Andrews, author of Milk Teeth“Searing and poetic, Sophie Calon's prose sparkles in this elegiac, gripping memoir. By piecing together fragments of his writing, Calon poignantly charts her father's gradual slip into homelessness. This painfully personal tale explores the complex, knotty truths of loving someone drowning in addiction. Long Going draws you in and takes you on a journey. Calon is an immensely readable writer to watch.” Maeve McClenaghan, author of No Fixed Abode“It’s a moving and thought-provoking account of an impossible situation.” Louis de Bernières, author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin