Shadow Girls

Shadow Girls is a literary exploration of girlhood by the Booker Prize-shortlisted author of Jamrach's Menagerie, set in Manchester in the 1960s. It follows Sally, a cynical fifteen-year-old schoolgirl, and her best friend Pamela, who play truant, explore forbidden areas of the old school, and torment posh Sylvia Rose. One day, Sally ventures (unauthorised) up to the greenhouse on the roof alone and sees Sylvia there. Amidst the resurgence of ghost stories and superstition, a tragedy occurs, sending Sally down an uncanny rabbit hole. The novel is praised for its evocation of a bygone Manchester girlhood, its poignant and creepy turns, and its atmospheric, shape-shifting nature.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Shadow Girls is a haunting and evocative tale of girlhood,set against the backdrop of Manchester in the sixties. Birch brings to life the characters of Sally and Pamela with vivid detail,creating a sense of authenticity and depth that is rare in young adult fiction. The novel explores themes of rebellion,friendship,and the supernatural,all of which are skillfully woven together to create a story that is both compelling and thought-provoking.

Shadow Girls is a literary exploration of girlhood by the Booker Prize-shortlisted author of Jamrach's Menagerie. Set in Manchester in the 1960s, the novel follows the story of Sally, a cynical fifteen-year-old schoolgirl who is much too clever for her own good. When partnered with her best friend, Pamela, Sally is unable to resist the temptation of rebellion. The pair play truant, explore forbidden areas of the old school, and torment posh Sylvia Rose, with her pristine uniform and her beautiful voice that wins every singing prize. One day, Sally ventures (unauthorised, of course) up to the greenhouse on the roof alone. Or at least she thinks she's alone, until she sees Sylvia on the roof too. Sally hurries downstairs, afraid of Sylvia snitching, but Sylvia appears to be there as well. Amidst the resurgence of ghost stories and superstition among the girls, a tragedy is about to occur, one that will send Sally further and further down an uncanny rabbit hole.

Praise for Shadow Girls: "A terrific evocation of a bygone Manchester girlhood, poignant and creepy by turns, by one of the most under-rated writers in England. D.J. Taylor. Compulsively readable, Shadow Girls is an atmospheric, shape-shifting novel, part coming-of-age, part supernatural thriller. Birch renders the atmosphere of the sixties impeccably, and conveys most brilliantly the taut, complicated relationships between teenage girls with all their neediness, bravado, and gullibility. Lesley Glaister. Shadow Girls is a haunting and evocative tale of girlhood, set against the backdrop of Manchester in the sixties. Birch brings to life the characters of Sally and Pamela with vivid detail, creating a sense of authenticity and depth that is rare in young adult fiction. The novel explores themes of rebellion, friendship, and the supernatural, all of which are skillfully woven together to create a story that is both compelling and thought-provoking."

Weight: 228g
Dimension: 197 x 130 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838939472