Somebody Loves You

Ruby stops talking after a tragic event, finding solace in silence to protect herself from her mother's mental illness and suburban pressures. "Somebody Loves You" is a poignant exploration of the stories we choose to tell and the impact they have on our lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2021
Publisher: And Other Stories

Shortlisted for the 2022 Goldsmiths Prize
Shortlisted for the 2022 Jhalak Prize
Longlisted for the 2022 Republic of Consciousness Prize
Longlisted for the 2022 Desmond Elliott Prize
A teacher asked me a question, and I opened my mouth as a sort of formality, but closed it softly, knowing with perfect certainty that nothing would ever come out again.
Ruby gives up talking at a young age.
Her mother isn't always there to notice; she comes and goes and goes and comes, until, one day, she doesn't.
Silence becomes Ruby's refuge, sheltering her from the weather of her mother's mental illness and a pressurized suburban atmosphere.
Plangent, deft, and sparkling with wry humor, Somebody Loves You is a moving exploration of how we choose or refuse to tell the stories that shape us.
It is a powerful and poignant tale that will resonate with readers of all ages.
I highly recommend it.

Weight: 218g
Dimension: 131 x 197 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913505165