Magnetism (Paperback)

Ruth Figgest

ISBN 10: 0995590060 / ISBN 13: 9780995590069

Published by Myriad Editions, Brighton, 2018

About this Item

Paperback. Set in the American mid- and south-west, the novel opens in 1976 when the young teenage protagonist, Erica, is in a psychiatric hospital following a suicide attempt. Fast forward to the present and Erica, now in her fifties, takes a phone call at work telling her that her mother, Caroline, has died. From this point the story moves backwards in time with each chapter shedding light - and dramatic irony - on those it follows. This mother-daughter relationship seesaws between cooperation and opposition; they are best friends and worst enemies; their conversations have an unflinching intensity and an emotional punch. Hindsight changes everything as the years drop away with each chapter and their founding layers and their most intimate relationships are unveiled. Against a backdrop of the significant social changes that took place in the last half of the 20th century - the Vietnam war protests, Oklahoma bombing, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 - they reveal themselves gradually and, in so doing, expose the stigma and experience of mental health problems, sexual politics, infertility, homosexuality and single parenthood. Crackling with energy and wit, the novel captures the exacting rhythm and beat of their bond, the significant shifts in their relationship, why they made the choices they did and became the people they are. The novel is ripe with humour, and tender as well as ruthless. Brutally honest, horribly funny and unexpectedly uplifting, it is an extraordinary debut. Debut novel from six-times Bridport Prize finalist: a darkly comic and sharply observed mother-daughter relationship as it unfolds episodically over 50 years. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780995590069

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Magnetism (Paperback)
• Publisher: Myriad Editions, Brighton
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0995590060
• ISBN 13: 9780995590069
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Mother and daughter Caroline and Erica are best of friends and worst of enemies. Set in the American mid- and south-west, their story unfolds over more than 50 years against a backdrop of sweeping social change. Feisty and argumentative, they roll with the punches, surviving car crashes, awkward family gatherings, relationship disasters―and plastic surgery. Sharply observed and darkly comic, Magnetism by Ruth Figgest notches a riveting new path through this most fundamental of family ties.

About the Author

Ruth Figgest was born in Oxford but grew up in the USA. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Sussex. Her stories have been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize six times―she was awarded 2nd place in 2012 and was Highly Commended in 2017. Another of her stories was shortlisted for the Mslexia short story competition and ‘The Coffin Gate’ was broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Magnetism is her debut novel and was published by Myriad in March 2018. Ruth was a clinical audiologist and a senior manager in the NHS prior to her present position as Chief Executive of a charity that runs a community centre in East Sussex. She lives in Eastbourne.