As most of you know, Still Life was my favourite book last year and I’ve placed it in the hands of many unsuspecting customers since it was published (it is currently our bestselling novel ever!). I’ve had difficulty finding something that would measure up to Still Life, until now.
The Whalebone Theatre was a joy to read from the opening page and I treasured every word. Several times I had to reread lines because they were so beautifully written. I wanted to slow down to savour every chapter but at the same time, I couldn’t stop reading. The story is engaging, the characters wonderfully eccentric, and the setting in a crumbling old house in South England perfectly rendered. Sarah Winman, author of Still Life, has a quote on the cover of The Whalebone Theatre: ‘A wonderful debut. Actually, a tour de force. It has all the makings of a classic.’ - I couldn’t agree more.
— Olivia