Elmet [J0262]

2017 - French Flap PB Gift-Worthy condition. Man Booker Prize Finalist. The family thought the little house they had made themselves in Elmet, a corner of Yorkshire, was theirs, that their peaceful, self-sufficient life was safe. Cathy and Daniel roamed the woods freely, occasionally visiting a local woman for some schooling, living outside all conventions. Their father built things and hunted, working with his hands; sometimes he would disappear, forced to do secret, brutal work for money, but to them he was a gentle protector. Narrated by Daniel after a catastrophic event has occurred, Elmet mesmerizes even as it becomes clear the family's solitary idyll will not last. When a local landowner shows up on their doorstep, their precarious existence is threatened, their innocence lost. Daddy and Cathy, both of them fierce, strong, and unyielding, set out to protect themselves and their neighbors, putting into motion a chain of events that can only end in violence. As rich, wild, dark, and beautiful as its Yorkshire setting, Elmet is a gripping debut about life on the margins and the power-and limits-of family loyalty.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "I love this book so much and think about it all the time. The characters, the atmosphere, the hardness and the softness. Wish I could read it again for the first time."; "Mozley is a wonderful writer. She brings you into the Yorkshire countryside and makes sure a part of you never leaves it. She really plays around with the Northern Noir trope and the mystery that plays out within the narrative is nuanced and clever."; "Beautifully written story about life lived guided by the raw survival instinct, being one with nature and fighting for one's family despite the odds. The main themes are social inequality, class distinction, gender inequality as well as xenohobia. One feels close and compassionate for the family - for the acceptance, unity and love. Cathy is the epitome of womanly strength, the fierce power of nature, scarily fascinating."