Beside the Sea, Veronique Olmi (Peirene) FICTION

An intense portrait of a mother's dislocated reality and her deep and overpowering love for her children. With a creeping sense of foreboding I was under no illusions as to whether there would be a happy ending, but even so the concluding pages were shocking. Do not attempt to read if there is a black dog lurking anywhere in the vicinity. Powerful and affecting.

Translated from the French by Adriana Hunter. This is the first book from new publisher Peirene.

pb. £8.99