Elisa Lodato – författare

***Shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award 2018***

EVERY MOTHER IS A WOMAN WITH A PAST

''An intriguing tale of love and loss . . . written with verve and delivers an amazing twist'' Sunday Mirror''A haunting debut about grief, loss and motherhood'' The Pool ''This novel pulls you in and will have you racing to reach the end'' Good Housekeeping

When Katharine is found dead at the foot of her stairs, it is the mystery of her life that consumes her daughter, Laura. The medical examiner''s report, in which precious parts of Katharine''s body are weighed and categorised, motivates Laura to write her own version of events. But as she delves deeper into Katharine''s past, she is forced to confront a new version of the woman she knew only as her mother. A woman silenced by her own mother and wronged by her husband. A woman who lived in the shadows but whose secrets are now coming to light.

*** Includes an extract from Elisa Lodato''s second novel The Necessary Marriage.***

''An incredibly moving story of maternal love, sacrifice, and how little we know those closest to us'' Chloë Mayer, author of The Boy Made of Snow''Extraordinarily sensuous storytelling that makes the reader''s heart ache in sympathy'' Observer''Spare, confident and affecting. A compelling read'' Joanna Barnard, author of Precocious

*** The new novel from the author of An Unremarkable Body, shortlisted for the Costa First Book Award 2018. ***'Elegant, subtle and tender, with a sharp sting in the tale' Sunday MirrorJane is sixteen when she falls in love with her teacher. Leonard Campbell is everything she has ever wanted: handsome, intelligent and attentive. He singles Jane out, giving her novels to read and discuss over long walks and cosy dinners. It is only once married, tied down and tied down with two children in 1980s suburbia that Jane realises she might have settled too early, losing much of herself in the process.Then Marion and Andrew, a couple whose passion frequently tips into violence, move in next door, forcing Jane to confront feelings she didn't know she could have. And when Marion abandons her family, Jane steps in to help with the couple's two boys, setting in motion a series of events, all of which expose the push and pull within every relationship. As desire and loyalty are blurred, it becomes clear that nobody can escape the devastating impact of a family falling apart.The Necessary Marriage is an intense, intimate portrait of how couples come together and grow apart, and the passions that drive us to do crazy things. 'A captivating novel which gets to the core of lust, love and commitment' Irish Times'Beautifully written and with emotional intelligence pulsing through its veins, this portrait of marriage is a gripping read right up to its shocking end' Kate Hamer, author of The Girl in the Red Coat and The Doll Funeral'Gripping and atmospheric, this book will knock you sideways' Fiona Mitchell, author of The Maid's Room

The new novel from the author of An Unremarkable Body, shortlisted for the Costa First Book Award 2018.''Elegant, subtle and tender, with a sharp sting in the tale'' Sunday Mirror ''A captivating novel which gets to the core of lust, love and commitment'' Irish Times''Gripping and atmospheric, this book will knock you sideways'' Fiona Mitchell, author of The Maid''s RoomSixteen-year-old Jane has a crush on her history teacher. He''s everything she has ever wanted - handsome, bookish, kind - and before long they break the rules and fall in love. It is only once married and tied down with two children in 1980s suburbia that Jane realises what she might have given up.When Marion and Andrew, a couple whose passion tips into violence, move in next door, Jane is forced to confront feelings she didn''t know she could have. As desire and loyalty are blurred, it becomes clear nobody can escape the devastating impact of a family falling apart.