Madwoman

Chelsea Bieker author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oneworld Publications

Published:5th Sep '24

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in other editions too:

Madwoman cover

An unexpected letter from her mother threatens to pull Clove back to a life she's left behind, in this thrilling, funny and constantly surprising novel

An addictive literary thriller from a breakout new voice

 

'Chelsea Bieker breathes thrilling, risky energy into the familiar trope of the madwoman... A well-paced and absorbing page-turner.' New York Times

CLOVE HAS BUILT HER DREAM LIFE. IT'S ABOUT TO COME CRASHING DOWN.

Everything appears to be going pretty well for Clove. She's built a stable family home in Portland, she has a handsome husband who encourages her to pursue her dream of writing, and her two kids are pretty adorable. Sure, she dabbles in a low-level shopping addiction and is racking up a not-so-funny amount of credit card debt, but who doesn't have a vice or two? 

But when a letter arrives from a women's prison in California, Clove's past comes hurtling into her new life. Soon, she is caught up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse as she desperately tries to outrun her worst experiences. 

Raw and hilarious, Madwoman is a story about resilience, courage, and one woman's refusal to be defined by a past she would rather forget. 

'A truly stunning read – this is my book of the year.'Ella Berman

 A Time Magazine 'Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2024'

'Darkly funny, heart-smashing, and absolutely unforgettableMadwoman is a masterpiece.' Rachel Yoder, author of Nightbitch


'A suspenseful character study of a woman on the verge from a titan of literary fiction.' Vanity Fair


'Suspenseful and satisfying' Observer


'Madwoman is a feminist page-turner — sharp writing meets daring plotting and defiant truth-telling. The result is a firecracker of a novel, an exploration between two covers.' Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage, winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction  


'Chelsea Bieker is an absolutely crackling talent.' Lauren Groff, author of Matrix


'Chelsea Bieker breathes thrilling, risky energy into the familiar trope of the madwoman... A well-paced and absorbing page-turner.' New York Times 


'A powerful thriller. The vivid writing gripped me all the way through in this satisfying story of reinvention.' Good Housekeeping


'A smart, whiplash suspense.' People Magazine


'A striking and visceral exploration of female identity and societal expectations. Following her acclaimed debut, Godshot, Bieker continues to delve into complex emotional landscapes with a raw and evocative style... Madwoman reinforces Bieker's reputation for crafting thought-provoking, emotionally charged narratives that resonate deeply with readers.'Glamour


'You won’t be able to turn away from this book, not even for a second.' T Kira Madden, author of Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls


'This book made me laugh and cry. It reads like a thriller and a love song. It’s about being crushed and rising strong.' Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild


'This intense, propulsive novel takes an age-old story right up to the minute. In portraying the exhausting attempt to overcome violence and safeguard loved ones, Bieker writes with urgency, integrity and emotional acuity.' Caoilinn Hughes, author of The Wild Laughter


'Such a refreshing read. I've never met a protagonist like this before. Bieker wrote very sensitive, heavy subject matter in a way that was inviting. I felt safe reading even the darkest moments, as they were handled so masterfully.' Chloe Michelle Howarth, author of Sunburn


'Madwoman is brilliant. The rare kind of book that lives in your bones, as riveting as it is intimate. This is emotional suspense at its best... Fresh, urgent, and darkly comic. A novel hasn't consumed me like this in a very long time.' Ashley Audrain, author of The Push


'An indelible portrait of what living with intergenerational trauma and a legacy of abuse can look like. In the guise of a suspense story, Bieker delves into the heart of what it really means to survive violence.' Kirkus


'A tale about reinvention and forging a life in which your past doesn't define you. A powerful read.' Prima


'[A] brave, grim and gripping story... I was hooked.' Daily Mail


'Written in a searing first person, the novel gallops through shock twists and turns... This novel’s examination of the long-term impact of domestic abuse is insightful, and the depiction of the alliances and connections made by women in extremes is intriguing.' The Conversation


'[Full of] ingenious twists... not an easy read but a heartfelt one.' Crime Time


'Madwoman creates an unflinching and confessional narrative voice. It's subtle in revealing the refracted torments of intergenerational trauma, and in the difficulty of untangling justice for victims of domestic abuse.' Sydney Morning Herald


'With Madwoman, Bieker further cements her place as a significant voice in contemporary fiction... As gripping as it is devastating, yet it is also full of heart and humour.' n.b. magazine

ISBN: 9780861547883

Dimensions: 234mm x 153mm x 29mm

Weight: unknown

336 pages