Foxash: 'A wonderfully atmospheric and deeply unsettling novel' Sarah Waters

Foxash is a gothic novel of quiet and powerful menace, of the real hardships of rural life, and the myths and folklore that seep into ordinary lives, with surprising consequences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

A novel that transports readers to a hauntingly atmospheric world, filled with vivid images that seem to leap off the page. Sarah Waters' fiction is a delightful treat to savour. With its exquisitely written prose and deeply original storyline, this book offers a rich and uneasy pleasure. The secrets are carefully layered, always surprising and skillfully teased out, leaving readers in awe of the author's impressive control.

Bethan Roberts, the author of "My Policeman," praises the book as a "rich, wonderfully uneasy pleasure." She describes it as exquisitely written and deeply original, with secrets that are intricately woven and unveiled with remarkable skill.

Lettie Radley and her husband, Tommy, find themselves in a difficult situation. They are worn out by poverty and seize the opportunity to participate in a Government scheme that aims to put the unemployed back to work on smallholdings. Lettie travels to Essex to join her husband, but instead of finding him, she meets their new neighbours, Jean and Adam Dell.

Jean and Adam are unlike any neighbours Lettie has ever encountered. They are overbearing, unkempt, and everything that Lettie despises. However, as she settles into her new life on the smallholding, Lettie discovers an unexpected joy in the rhythms of rural life. She hopes that her past, and the terrible secret Tommy has come to Foxash to escape, are far behind them.

But the Dells have their own secrets, and as the seasons change, a mysterious man begins to knock at the gate. The stage is set for a terrible reckoning that will test the limits of Lettie's resilience and the strength of her bond with Tommy.

Foxash blends a gothic sensibility with a visceral and unsettling sense of place. It is a deeply original novel that explores the hardships of rural life and the myths and folklore that seep into ordinary lives. The consequences of these secrets are surprising and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a lasting impression.

Sarah Waters' writing is masterful, with vivid descriptions that bring the characters and settings to life. The reader is transported to the smallholding, feeling the warmth of the sun on Lettie's face and the chill of the wind in the night. The prose is elegant and evocative, drawing the reader into the story and immersing them in the characters' world.

This novel is not just a story of suspense and mystery; it is also a study of human nature. Lettie and Tommy are complex characters with their own flaws and strengths. They are forced to confront their past and present, and their choices have profound consequences for themselves and those around them. Jean and Adam, too, are portrayed with depth and complexity, making them both despicable and fascinating.

Foxash is a testament to Sarah Waters' talent as a writer. It is a hauntingly atmospheric novel that will leave readers pondering the secrets of the past and the unknowable future. Whether you are a fan of gothic literature or simply seeking a powerful and engaging story, this book is a must-read.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 164 x 243 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472294876