Acts of Desperation
The must-read novel
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:6th Jan '22
Should be back in stock very soon
In Acts of Desperation, a young woman's tumultuous love affair reveals the stark contrast between desire and reality, prompting her to question her true needs.
In Acts of Desperation, a twenty-three-year-old woman finds herself deeply infatuated, exploring the intoxicating yet tumultuous nature of love. Her relationship with an older, strikingly beautiful man quickly becomes all-consuming, blurring the lines between passion and obsession. However, as the romance unfolds, the darker facets of his personality emerge, revealing a mean streak that complicates her infatuation. The protagonist is caught in a whirlwind of emotions, desperately trying to navigate the complexities of love and desire.
As she grapples with her feelings, she discovers the stark contrast between her ideals and the reality of their relationship. The man she adores remains tethered to his glamorous ex, leading to feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. This dynamic drives her to confront her own hidden desires and cravings, igniting a frantic search for validation and fulfillment. With each passing moment, the stakes become higher, and the quest for love takes a perilous turn.
Acts of Desperation ultimately asks the poignant question: are we truly aware of what we need, or are we merely chasing what we think we want? This exploration of love's darker side serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the often painful journey toward self-discovery.
Please believe the hype . . . Nolan's book describes a very particular experience and it does so with rare intelligence and courage . . . [Her] headlong, fearless prose feels like salt wind on cracked lips. You wince and you thrill. * Sunday Times *
Deeply felt and seriously, spikily intelligent . . . The millennial author everyone should be watching right now. * Daily Telegraph *
Tapping into the zeitgeist comes one of the books of 2021: Megan Nolan's Acts of Desperation . . . a heartbreaking-but-resonating portrait of one woman's savage mistreatment of herself in the name of love. * Stylist *
There is so much to admire in this extremely impressive first novel, which captures an intense experience with clarity and style. It is fully itself, and flawless in its way. * Guardian *
Nigh-on impossible not to devour. * Daily Mail *
[A] fearless debut . . . Amusing, relatable, crushing . . . Nolan's gutsiest achievement is reclaiming the female experience of love and desire in all its shades from lighter literature, making of it something frequently unpretty yet intensely vital. * Observer *
Oh my god! Such brilliant writing about female desire, co-dependant love, the ownership that's taken of female bodies and how it corrupts our relationship to them. I identified hugely. Incredibly honest and visceral. -- Marian Keyes
It's impossible to tear yourself away . . . This is more than simple victimhood. This is a hard frank look at something uglier and more discomforting . . . I couldn't stop reading Acts of Desperation. * The Times *
A mesmerising debut that is a masterpiece from the opening sentence to the bitter end, and everything in between. * Independent *5 new books to read in lockdown* *
I loved this book . . . It triumphs because it takes a risk . . . We find ourselves hurtling towards an ending that is surprising, satisfying, subversive . . . Deeply affecting. * Irish Independent *
ISBN: 9781529113013
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 18mm
Weight: 203g
288 pages