Clare Furniss – författare

* Winner of the Southern Schools Book Awards 2025, shortlisted for the UKLA Books Prize 2025 and the Carnegie Medal 2025. How I Live Now meets Exodus – a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss.​‘Compulsive, poignant YA dystopia’ The Guardian ‘An exquisite, devastating read’ The Irish Times ‘Genuinely moving’ Daily Mail ‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ Just Imagine Civil unrest in London has reached an all-time high after years of a growing authoritarian regime, and it’s no longer safe for Clem and her half-sister Billie in the city. Clem tells of their treacherous journey to Scotland, by road and then by sea, fleeing with nothing but a notebook filled with stories and memories of home. But is there something Clem's not saying? And how will this journey – and the sisters’ story – end? With the start of a new life? Or a mirror held up to the past?PRAISE FOR THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND: ‘Remarkable. A frighteningly relevant and moving novel, told with impeccable style. Clare Furniss is one of the very best writers for young people and this new novel is her finest yet. I loved it.’ Sarah Crossan, author of Where The Heart Should Be   ‘Beautifully written, page-turning in the extreme, and deep and person and global’ A.F. Harrold, author of The Imaginary and The Worlds We Leave Behind   ‘I couldn’t stop reading The Things We Leave Behind… Devastating and unsparing but full of hope and love too. It was a privilege to read it.’ Candy Gourlay, author of Wild Song   ‘This book is exceptional… Years and Years meets The End We Start From for teenagers. Should be on every secondary set text list.’ Joanna Nadin, author of A Calamity of Mannerings   ‘Gripping, moving, tense, twisty and very, very necessary… It all felt so utterly real and terrifyingly possible.’ Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal   ‘Such moving, thought-provoking, compelling story-telling. Wonderful characters. Utterly convincing. I loved it.’ Julia Green, author of Ettie and the Midnight Pool ‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ Just ImaginePRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS: ‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’  Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses    ‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series  ‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ Sunday Times  ‘A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ Daily Mail   ‘Beautifully written’ StylistPRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS: ‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’ Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses    ‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series  ‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ Sunday Times  ‘A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ Daily Mail   ‘Beautifully written’ Stylist

I always thought you'd know, somehow, if something terrible was going to happen. I thought you'd sense it, like when the air goes damp and heavy before a storm and you know you'd better hide yourself away somewhere safe until it all blows over. But it turns out it's not like that at all. There's no scary music playing in the background like in films. No warning signs. Not even a lonely magpie. One for sorrow, Mum used to say. Quick, look for another. The world can tip at any moment … a fact that fifteen-year-old Pearl is all too aware of when her mum dies after giving birth to her baby sister. Told across the year following her mother's death, Pearl's story is full of bittersweet humour and heartbreaking honesty about how you deal with grief that cuts you to the bone, as she tries not only to come to terms with losing her mum, but also the fact that her sister - The Rat - is a constant reminder of why her mum is no longer around… From the author of How Not to Disappear comes a stunning novel about love and loss, and how to carry on when your whole world is turned upside down.  Praise for The Year of the Rat: 'Beautifully written with a dry sense of humour.' The Stylist 'I cried, I laughed, I cried some more… a moving must-read that'll stay with you long after the last page is turned.' Bliss 'The Year of the Rat is already a strong contender for best YA debut of 2014… I never wanted it to end.' Wondrous Reads 'This novel will stay with me for a very long time. A must-read.' The Mile Long Bookshelf 'An assured debut...Furniss describes Pearl's journey with sensitivity and humour' The Bookseller - editors pick section

Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2017 and longlisted for the 2017 CILIP Carnegie Medal, this novel will make you laugh and break your heart.Our memories are what make us who we are. Some are real. Some are made up. But they are the stories that tell us who we are. Without them we are nobody. Hattie's summer isn't going as planned. Her two best friends have abandoned her: Reuben has run off to Europe to 'find himself' and Kat is in Edinburgh with her new girlfriend. Meanwhile Hattie is stuck babysitting her twin siblings and dealing with endless drama around her mum's wedding. Oh, and she's also just discovered that she's pregnant with Reuben's baby…Then Gloria, Hattie's great-aunt who no one even knew existed, comes crashing into her life. Gloria's fiercely independent, rather too fond of a gin sling and is in the early stages of dementia. Together the two of them set out on a road trip of self-discovery - Gloria to finally confront the secrets of her past before they are erased from her memory forever and Hattie to face the hard choices that will determine her future… Non Pratt's Trouble meets Thelma and Louise with a touch of Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey, Clare Furniss' remarkable How Not To Disappear is an emotional rollercoaster of a novel. 'Funny, moving and packed with characters that jump off the page' Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal 'Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable' Robin Stevens, author of Lady Most Unladylike  'Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful' Sunday Times Children's book of the week 'A beautifully executed story... gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph' Daily Mail

* Winner of the Southern Schools Book Awards 2025, shortlisted for the UKLA Books Prize 2025 and the Carnegie Medal 2025. How I Live Now meets Exodus – a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss.‘Compulsive, poignant YA dystopia’ The Guardian‘An exquisite, devastating read’ The Irish Times‘Genuinely moving’ Daily Mail‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ Just ImagineCivil unrest in London has reached an all-time high after years of a growing authoritarian regime, and it’s no longer safe for Clem and her half-sister Billie in the city. Clem tells of their treacherous journey to Scotland, by road and then by sea, fleeing with nothing but a notebook filled with stories and memories of home. But is there something Clem's not saying? And how will this journey – and the sisters’ story – end? With the start of a new life? Or a mirror held up to the past?PRAISE FOR THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND:‘Remarkable. A frighteningly relevant and moving novel, told with impeccable style. Clare Furniss is one of the very best writers for young people and this new novel is her finest yet. I loved it.’ Sarah Crossan, author of Where The Heart Should Be  ‘Beautifully written, page-turning in the extreme, and deep and person and global’ A.F. Harrold, author of The Imaginary and The Worlds We Leave Behind  ‘I couldn’t stop reading The Things We Leave Behind… Devastating and unsparing but full of hope and love too. It was a privilege to read it.’ Candy Gourlay, author of Wild Song  ‘This book is exceptional… Years and Years meets The End We Start From for teenagers. Should be on every secondary set text list.’ Joanna Nadin, author of A Calamity of Mannerings  ‘Gripping, moving, tense, twisty and very, very necessary… It all felt so utterly real and terrifyingly possible.’ Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal  ‘Such moving, thought-provoking, compelling story-telling. Wonderful characters. Utterly convincing. I loved it.’ Julia Green, author of Ettie and the Midnight Pool‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ Just ImaginePRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS:‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’  Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses   ‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series ‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ Sunday Times ‘A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ Daily Mail  ‘Beautifully written’ Stylist

* Winner of the Southern Schools Book Awards 2025, shortlisted for the UKLA Books Prize 2025 and the Carnegie Medal 2025. How I Live Now meets Exodus – a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss.​‘Compulsive, poignant YA dystopia’ The Guardian ‘An exquisite, devastating read’ The Irish Times ‘Genuinely moving’ Daily Mail ‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ Just Imagine Civil unrest in London has reached an all-time high after years of a growing authoritarian regime, and it’s no longer safe for Clem and her half-sister Billie in the city. Clem tells of their treacherous journey to Scotland, by road and then by sea, fleeing with nothing but a notebook filled with stories and memories of home. But is there something Clem's not saying? And how will this journey – and the sisters’ story – end? With the start of a new life? Or a mirror held up to the past?PRAISE FOR THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND: ‘Remarkable. A frighteningly relevant and moving novel, told with impeccable style. Clare Furniss is one of the very best writers for young people and this new novel is her finest yet. I loved it.’ Sarah Crossan, author of Where The Heart Should Be   ‘Beautifully written, page-turning in the extreme, and deep and person and global’ A.F. Harrold, author of The Imaginary and The Worlds We Leave Behind   ‘I couldn’t stop reading The Things We Leave Behind… Devastating and unsparing but full of hope and love too. It was a privilege to read it.’ Candy Gourlay, author of Wild Song   ‘This book is exceptional… Years and Years meets The End We Start From for teenagers. Should be on every secondary set text list.’ Joanna Nadin, author of A Calamity of Mannerings   ‘Gripping, moving, tense, twisty and very, very necessary… It all felt so utterly real and terrifyingly possible.’ Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal   ‘Such moving, thought-provoking, compelling story-telling. Wonderful characters. Utterly convincing. I loved it.’ Julia Green, author of Ettie and the Midnight Pool ‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ Just ImaginePRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS: ‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’  Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses    ‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series  ‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ Sunday Times  ‘A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ Daily Mail   ‘Beautifully written’ StylistPRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS: ‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’ Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses    ‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series  ‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ Sunday Times  ‘A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ Daily Mail   ‘Beautifully written’ Stylist

Was, wenn du von zu Hause fliehen und alles zurücklassen musst? Ein berührendes Jugendbuch ab 14 Jahren«Kümmer dich um Billie. Erinner dich an unsere Vereinbarung. Du hast mir etwas versprochen, ja?»London in der nahen Zukunft. Clem feiert ihren 15. Geburtstag mit Freunden und Familie – ein letzter glücklicher Tag, bevor sich alles für immer verändert. Ein totalitärer Premierminister ist an die Macht gekommen. Unliebsame Bürger*innen verlieren ihre Jobs, Menschen mit nicht-britischen Wurzeln sollen ausgewiesen werden. Auch Clems Stiefmutter wird in ein Internierungslager deportiert. Als Unruhen ausbrechen und die Regierung immer gewalttätiger vorgeht, müssen Clem und ihre kleine Schwester Billie allein aus London fliehen. Sie machen sich auf den Weg aufs Land zu Clems Großvater. Dort lernt Clem Jonas kennen, der heimlich gegen die Regierung arbeitet und der ihr bald mehr bedeutet, als ihr lieb ist. Doch auch bei Großvater wird es zu gefährlich, und Clem und Billie müssen das Dorf verlassen. Werden sie einen Ort finden, an dem sie in Sicherheit leben können?Eine ergreifende Geschichte über Liebe, Freundschaft, Mut, Hoffnung und Überleben. Ein dystopischer Jugendroman, der in heutiger Zeit erschreckend realistisch erscheint.