Kit de Waal – författare

'There's a trick to time. You can make it expand or you can make it contract. Make it shorter or make it longer . . .'Some moments you want to last forever. Some moments shape a life. For Mona, it's the joy of playing on a Wexford beach as a young girl, next to her family's cottage overlooking the Irish sea. The thrill of moving to Birmingham with a new job and a room of her own in a busy boarding-house. Meeting the love of her life; a whirlwind marriage; a sudden, tragic loss. But now, decades later, Mona is determined to find happiness before it's too late. She knows that every moment is precious. But can we ever let go of the past that shaped us?'Devastatingly emotional. De Waal's storytelling gives us the poetry and sorrow of life itself' Financial Times 'Weaving tragedy and joy, big themes and the minutiae of life, this is a love story to take on the classics' Emerald Street'An emotionally sure-handed novel exploring harrowing terrain with deft sensitivity' Sunday Times

A tender and unforgettable story of found family and the long way back from heartbreak - now longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction'A beautiful and important story about kindness that will break your heart, then make it sing' (reader review) ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A joyous story about love, and what family means to each of us' Prima'I read this in a sitting, revelling in every word-perfect sentence' (reader review) ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I defy you not to cry while reading this' Red Paulette's the kind of woman who likes the future all mapped out: the wedding to Denton, the Caribbean honeymoon, the gingham quilt on the baby's crib. Until one morning Garfield, Denton's friend, arrives at her door with the news that Denton won't be coming around any more, that there won't be time for her to say goodbye.Somehow Garfield finds his way into her bed, and sooner than anyone can believe there is a baby, and suddenly giving Bird, her son, the best of everything is what gives Paulette's life meaning.So why is it another little boy, Nellie, who keeps Paulette awake at night? Nellie who is being raised a few streets away, with no sign of a mum. Surely Paulette is the last person who should be getting tangled up in any of that?

**A 2025 Highlight in the Guardian, I-Paper, Prima, Irish Times, Irish Independent and Sunday Independent****A Bookseller '10 Titles Not to Miss' selection for April**'A profoundly compassionate novel of devastating power' Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-Winning author of Girl, Woman, Other'So deeply moving: sad and beautiful and true' Annie Macmanus, author of The Mess We're InPaulette's the kind of woman who likes the future all mapped out: the wedding to Denton, the Caribbean honeymoon, the gingham quilt on the baby's crib. Until one morning Garfield, Denton's friend, arrives at her door with the news that Denton won't be coming around any more, that there won't be time for her to say goodbye.Somehow Garfield finds his way into her bed, and sooner than anyone can believe there is a baby, and suddenly giving Bird, her son, the best of everything is what gives Paulette's life meaning.So why is it another little boy, Nellie, who keeps Paulette awake at night? Nellie who is being raised a few streets away, with no sign of a mum. Surely Paulette is the last person who should be getting tangled up in any of that?The Best of Everything is a novel about the love that can steal into our lives - in spite of the best laid plans.

It's an exciting day for Timothy Flowers. It's the third of November, and it's Friday, and it's his twenty-first birthday. When Timothy walks to his usual street corner to see his favourite special bus, he meets Charlie. Charlie is a builder who is desperate for Timothy's help because Timothy is very tall, six feet six inches. Timothy has never had a job before - or no work that he's kept for more than a day. But when Timothy and Charlie have to collect money from a local thug, things don't exactly go according to plan...Over the course of one day, Timothy's life will change for ever.

Suitable for GCSE Grades 1-9.AQA exam board.Learn from the best with Penguin's Study Guide for My Name is Leon.Get to grips with every chapter – clear summaries help you understand the text inside out.Master what matters – explore context, themes, language, plot and characters with expert insight.Revise smarter, not harder – boost your confidence with step-by-step essay support.Test yourself – practise with exam-style questions to sharpen your skills.See what top answers look like – sample answers show exactly what it takes to hit grades 4–9.Quote it right – packed with key quotes to use in your essays.Discover more – watch exclusive author videos that bring the text’s ideas and background to life.

A TIMES and INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE IRISH NOVEL PRIZESoon to be a major BBC film starring Sir Lenny Henry, Malachi Kirby, Monica Dolan, Olivia Williams and Christopher Eccleston.It's 1981, a year of riots and royal weddings. The Dukes of Hazzard is on TV. Curly Wurlys are in the shops. And trying to find a place in it all is nine-year-old Leon. He and his little brother Jake have gone to live with Maureen. They've lost one home, but have they found another?Maureen feeds and looks after them. She has wild red hair and mutters swearwords under her breath when she thinks they can't hear. She claims everything will be okay. But will they ever see their mother again? Who are the couple who secretly visit Jake? Between the street violence and the street parties, Leon must find a way to reunite his family . . . 'Startlingly funny. Balances the gritty with the feel good' Observer'Vivid and endearing - a very powerful book' Emma Healey, bestselling author of Elizabeth is Missing'Authentic and beautiful, urgent and honest, this novel makes room in your heart' Chris Cleave, bestselling author of The Other Hand SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD & THE DESMOND ELLIOT PRIZE

***From the acclaimed author of My Name is Leon***'Stories of everyday lives that will resonate and move you utterly' Stylist_______________________________________________As she walks out of her marriage, a woman remembers the day her husband rescued a boy from drowning.A blind man on his wedding day celebrates the pursuit of love.And a young man leaves prison with only one desire - to see his son again.Kit de Waal's characters light up the page in vivid stories of thwarted desire, love and loss. With power and precision, humanity and insight, Supporting Cast captures the extraordinary moments in our ordinary lives, and the darkness and the joy of the everyday.________________________________________________'It's so good. Full of Kit's trademark humanity. I can feel my heart grow with every word' Cathy Rentzenbrink'Stunning. Kit is in utter command of language and story here, and wields them like no other writer' Donal Ryan'A magnificent study of humanity in all its various sorrows. Her writing is exquisite' Liz Nugent

**A 2025 Highlight in the Guardian, I-Paper, Prima, Irish Times, Irish Independent and Sunday Independent****A Bookseller '10 Titles Not to Miss' selection for April**'A profoundly compassionate novel of devastating power' Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-Winning author of Girl, Woman, Other'So deeply moving: sad and beautiful and true' Annie Macmanus, author of The Mess We're InPaulette's the kind of woman who likes the future all mapped out: the wedding to Denton, the Caribbean honeymoon, the gingham quilt on the baby's crib. Until one morning Garfield, Denton's friend, arrives at her door with the news that Denton won't be coming around any more, that there won't be time for her to say goodbye.Somehow Garfield finds his way into her bed, and sooner than anyone can believe there is a baby, and suddenly giving Bird, her son, the best of everything is what gives Paulette's life meaning.So why is it another little boy, Nellie, who keeps Paulette awake at night? Nellie who is being raised a few streets away, with no sign of a mum. Surely Paulette is the last person who should be getting tangled up in any of that?The Best of Everything is a novel about the love that can steal into our lives - in spite of the best laid plans.

Kit de Waal and her brother and sisters had a hard childhood in the West Midlands. Her Irish mother didn't feed them, didn't believe in Christmas or birthdays, and thought the world would end in 1975. Her father saved all his money to return to the Caribbean, where he planned to make a new life without them. At school, their faces just didn't fit in. This is the story of how Kit and her brother and sisters helped each other escape, and what gave Kit the strength to keep living.

Nine-year-old Leon loves his new baby brother, Jake. He learns to bathe, feed and sooth him while his mother sleeps upstairs. But now the grownups are saying his mum can't cope and are threatening to split the brothers up and tear Leon's world apart. Before long, Leon and his new brother are taken into the care of strangers. They are thrust into an uncertain and turbulent world, and Leon becomes vulnerable to the prejudices against the colour of his skin. But he is self-reliant and stubborn, and finds freedom riding his BMX on the streets. Soon enough, he begins to see the saplings of a community forming in unexpected places. Amongst the undulating circumstances of his life and the social upheaval of 1980s Britain, Leon's resilience forges on. He is determined to rediscover family and find hope in his future.My Name is Leon is an AQA GCSE set text from 2023 onwards and is suitable for teaching at KS3 and KS4. It explores complex themes of family, loss, growing up, and racial prejudice. This educational format includes additional content at the end of the book, including an interview with the author, novel insights, language and style, and a vocabulary list. There is also a freely available resource pack with a knowledge organiser for students' use, as well as a teaching guide with suggested lesson plans and activities.

A STUDENT EDITIONIt’s 1981, a year of riots and royal weddings. Amid tumult and change, nine-year-old Leon tries to find his place. He and his little brother Jake have gone to live with Maureen. They’ve lost one home, but have they found another?Maureen feeds and looks after them. She has wild red hair and mutters swearwords under her breath when she thinks they can’t hear. She claims everything will be okay. But will they ever see their mother again? Who are the couple who secretly visit Jake? Between the street violence and the street parties, Leon must find a way to reunite his family . . .This education edition includes teacher-designed guided reading questions. For more information, including interviews with author Kit de Waal and activities related to studying My Name is Leon, visit https://www.penguin.co.uk/lit-in-colour/teaching-resourcesWINNER OF THE IRISH NOVEL PRIZE‘Startlingly funny. Balances the gritty with the feel good’ Observer

'Vivid and compelling and so moving... Kit's depiction of her parents' dynamic is both painful and comforting to read' Marian KeyesAS BROADCAST ON BBC RADIO 4From the award-winning author of MY NAME IS LEON comes a childhood memoir set to become a classic: stinging, warm-hearted, and true.Kit de Waal grew up in a household of opposites and extremes. Her haphazard mother rarely cooked, forbade Christmas and birthdays, worked as a cleaner, nurse and childminder sometimes all at once and believed the world would end in 1975. Meanwhile, her father stuffed barrels full of goodies for his relatives in the Caribbean, cooked elaborate meals on a whim and splurged money they didn't have on cars, suits and shoes fit for a prince. Both of her parents were waiting for paradise. It never came.Caught between three worlds, Irish, Caribbean and British in 1960s Birmingham, Kit and her brothers and sisters knew all the words to the best songs, caught sticklebacks in jam jars and braved hunger and hellfire until they could all escape.WITHOUT WARNING AND ONLY SOMETIMES is a story of an extraordinary childhood and how a girl who grew up in house where the Bible was the only book on offer went on to discover a love of reading that inspires her to this day

"A gripping, heart-wrenching coming-of-age story" - GuardianIn her first YA novel, Costa-shortlisted Kit de Waal responds to classic Moby Dick by tearing the power away from obsessive Captain Ahab and giving it to a teenage girl.Dinah's whole world is upside down, dead things and angry men and cuts all over her head that are beginning to sting....Seventeen-year-old Dinah needs to leave her home, the weird commune where she grew up. She needs a whole new identity, starting with how she looks, starting with shaving off her hair, her 'crowning glory'. She has to do it quickly, because she has to go now.Dinah was going to go alone and hitch a ride down south. Except, she ends up being persuaded to illegally drive a VW campervan for hundreds of miles, accompanied by a grumpy man with one leg. This wasn't the plan.But while she's driving, Dinah will be forced to confront everything that led her here, everything that will finally show her which direction to turn...In her first YA novel, Costa-shortlisted author Kit de Waal responds to the classic Moby Dick with entirely new characters, a VW campervan, and by tearing the power away from obsessive Captain Ahab and giving it to a teenage girl who's determined to find a new life, far away from her unconventional upbringing."An emotionally charged book" - Daily Mail"Fresh and defiantly original ... what a beautiful book" - Sarah Moore Fitzgerald"An emotional coming of age tale of escape, mission, and ultimately, self-knowledge" - The Big Issue

Mainstream brings thirty authors in from the margins to occupy centre-page. Queer storytellers. Working class wordsmiths. Chroniclers of colour. Writers whose life experiences give unique perspectives on universal challenges, whose voices must be heard. And read.‘In these locked down and unfocused times the short story is a much needed respite from the current Covid-19 bleakness. With Mainstream, Inkandescent has gathered together a wonderful collection of fascinating and eclectic stories. Sad, funny, horrifying and demystifying, the unique voices within take us on an open minded journey around the world. Loved it.’ — KATHY BURKE‘A riveting collection of stories, deftly articulated. Every voice entirely captivating: page to page, tale to tale. These are stories told with real heart from writers emerging from the margins in style.’ — ASHLEY HICKSON-LOVENCE, author of The 392 and Your ShowEmerging writers are placed alongside established authors. Contributors are: Aisha Phoenix, Alex Hopkins, Bidisha, Chris Simpson, DJ Connell, Elizabeth Baines, Gaylene Gould, Giselle Leeb, Golnoosh Nour, Hedy Hume, Iqbal Hussain, Jonathan Kemp, Julia Bell, Juliet Jacques, Justin David, Kathy Hoyle, Keith Jarrett, Kerry Hudson, Kit de Waal, Lisa Goldman, Lui Sit, Nathan Evans, Neil Bartlett, Neil Lawrence, Neil McKenna, Ollie Charles, Padrika Tarrant, Paul McVeigh, Philip Ridley, Polis Loizou.