Quinn by Em Strang

A prisoner is serving a sentence for a murder he believes he hasn't committed, and when the woman is found he will be released - so he thinks. He spends his days in a surreal world of repetition, bizarre sightings and disturbing dreams.

The story is told in his distinctive voice, a narrative of his unaccountability, distorted memory and the pain these bring him. Symbols and motifs repeat often, with poetic frequency - like the passing of time, sunrise, the dark blue colour, almost black, and 'I have done nothing wrong.'  As part of his parole and to come to terms with what he did, he moves in with the murdered woman's disabled mother to act as her carer at her request.  Their relationship is complex and surrounded by more symbolism and lots of death.  

​A strange and unusual short book, more poem than novel, that looks at the power of the mind when dealing with trauma. Original, abstract and very unsettling.

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Published by Oneworld Publications on 2 March 2023.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

​The Global Shelf​