Electric

Hilary Mantel's The Electric is a novel about three generations bound together by love, tragedy, and the struggle to escape the past. Daisy builds a fierce bond with her children, Linda and Michael, and escapes to the twilit world of the cinema. By 1998, Linda and Michael are still struggling to cope after their mother's death. Mike finds solace in suburban violence, while Linda invests her hopes in Lucas, her deaf teenage son. The appearance of a man from Daisy's past threatens to upend their uneasy peace, while Lucas is obsessed with his support worker and relearning the sign language he shared with his grandmother.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2021
Publisher: John Murray Press

Hilary Mantel, a writer of immense energy and remarkable powers of observation, delves into the lives of three generations in her novel "The Electric." Set in the vibrant Brighton of the 1950s, the story revolves around Daisy, a police wife who embarks on a journey of resilience and self-discovery.

When Daisy gets married, she is unaware of the struggles that come with being a police wife. The world of secrecy and suspicion seeps into her home, creating an atmosphere of unease and tension. However, Daisy is determined to resist these challenges and find ways to thrive.

She builds a fierce bond with her children, Linda and Michael, and escapes to the enchanting world of cinema. Through her passion for movies, Daisy finds solace and a means of escape from the pressures of her life. By 1998, Linda and Michael are still grappling with the loss of their mother, a decade earlier. Mike finds comfort in the violence of the suburbs, while Linda invests her hopes in Lucas, her deaf teenage son.

However, the appearance of a man from Daisy's past threatens to upend their fragile peace. As the story unfolds, Lucas becomes obsessed with his support worker, and he begins to relearn the sign language that he shared with his grandmother. As he reconnects with his heritage, memories of his early childhood resurface.

But will the truth about the events of ten years ago save Lucas's family or destroy it? "The Electric" is a brilliantly realized novel that explores the complexities of love, tragedy, and the struggle to escape the past. Hilary Mantel's writing is rich in detail and emotion, drawing the reader into the lives of her characters and immersing them in their struggles.

Through Daisy's journey, we witness the resilience of the human spirit and the power of family bonds. We see how individuals can overcome adversity and find hope in the face of tragedy. "The Electric" is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the importance of cherishing the memories of our past.

Weight: 230g
Dimension: 131 x 197 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781473669574