A Quiet Dissonance (The Friendship Collection)

Home. Is it where you are, or who you are?

When Anu and her family relocate to a quiet English village, she yearns to belong. But fitting in proves harder than expected. Whispers. Cold shoulders. And the gnawing feeling that no matter what she does, she’ll always be seen as "other".

As she grapples with her new reality, Anu begins to question not just the village—but herself. Who is she beneath the labels, the expectations, the history? In her search for connection, she uncovers uncomfortable truths, long-buried emotions, and the realisation that home may not be a place you find—but a person you become.

Heartfelt, thought-provoking, and deeply human, this is a story of identity, belonging, and the courage it takes to claim your own space in the world.

WINNER OF THE BRONZE MEDAL IN THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS

Netgalley reviews:

*This novel is an important one for our times especially. As a woman, it's hard to choose "what's good and right for me-my family, my work" and to find "a deeper happiness… that cannot be corrupted from the outside". There's so much pressure to be all put together, to have kids who are well rounded, and the list goes on. Manco demonstrates throughout her novel what is important to Anu and causes the reader to reflect on their own priorities and if they are in the right order.*

*This is a beautifully written novel and I imagine it will resonate with a lot of readers for several different reasons. For me it resonated as I often struggled to find friendships and the ones that I cherish the most are ones that were found in later life. The author totally encapsulated how it must feel to be a migrant in a new country and the concerns and hurdles that they have to overcome just to fit in and be a part of society in ways that – I am ashamed to say – I may not have thought about before. It was very reminiscent to me of Brick Lane and Big Little Lies both are books that I adored.*

Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Poornima graduated from Delhi University with a degree in English Literature. She lives in the United Kingdom with her husband and two daughters. An avid reader, she also loves travelling, baking and watching old black and white movies. She is the author of four short story collections and one novella. This is her first novel.