A Robot in the Garden

Perfect for fans of The Correspondent and Remarkably Bright Creatures, A Robot in the Garden delivers a healing novel about a broken robot, a man at rock bottom, and an adventure neither could have predicted.

"Our hero is a FANTASTIC and UNFORGETTABLE creation, and so is this absolute marvel of a novel."―Neil Smith, author of Bang Crunch and Boo

"An inventive and utterly charming tale...heartwarming."―Booklist, Starred Review

Ben Chambers is spectacular at failing―at his job, at his marriage, at even the simplest adult responsibilities. Directionless and drifting, he has stopped expecting much from himself. Until he discovers a small, battered robot buried in his garden named Tang.

Tang is broken too. He's prone to emotional outbursts, mysterious glitches, and stubborn silence. He needs repairs that no one seems to know how to make. And for reasons Ben can't quite explain, Tang seems to need him.

What begins as a reluctant attempt to fix Tang becomes an unexpected journey―across countries, across memories, and towards a version of himself Ben thought he'd lost. As he searches for someone who can repair Tang, Ben slowly confronts what's broken in his own life: his marriage, his confidence, and his sense of purpose.

Warm, witty, and deeply moving, A Robot in the Garden is a story about connection, second chances, and how the most unlikely relationships can teach us what it truly means to be human.

Deborah Install has been writing fiction since childhood, submitting her first book to a publisher at the age of eight. Her love of writing persisted, leading to a number of jobs, including web journalism and her most recent role as copywriter at a design and marketing agency. A ROBOT IN THE GARDEN came about while caring for her new baby. She lives in Birmingham, UK, with her husband, toddler and affectionate but imperious cat.