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Bellies

A poignant exploration of love and identity

Nicola Dinan author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Transworld Publishers Ltd

Published:9th May '24

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Bellies cover

This poignant tale delves into love, identity, and personal sacrifice. In Bellies, Tom and Ming's journey is both humorous and heartbreaking.

In Bellies, readers are invited into a heartfelt coming-of-age journey that explores the intricacies of love and identity. The story begins with the seemingly simple premise of boy meets boy, as Tom and Ming's paths cross during a university night out. Their immediate connection blossoms into a deep romance, filled with dreams of a shared future. However, as Ming reveals her intention to transition, the dynamics of their relationship are put to the test, forcing both characters to confront their identities and the sacrifices they may need to make.

As Tom and Ming navigate the complexities of their evolving relationship, they grapple with profound questions about love, self-discovery, and the essence of who they are. The narrative is rich with humor and heartbreak, making it a relatable exploration of the challenges faced by those who love deeply. Throughout Bellies, the characters are vividly drawn, each embodying the messy realities of life, love, and personal growth.

Critics have praised Bellies for its emotional depth and engaging storytelling. With endorsements from notable authors, the book is recognized as a significant debut that resonates with readers on multiple levels. It captures the essence of navigating love in its many forms while also addressing broader themes of gender and sexual identity, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of modern relationships.

At its best, Bellies is as deep as it is chic -- Jeremy Atherton Lin * Guardian *
The most hotly anticipated novel of the summer * Harper's Bazaar *
A tender, emotional exploration of gender and sexual identity * Marie Claire *
Beautiful depiction of derailed love * Chris Power, Sunday Times *
A poignant tale that explores the messy complexities of relationships, with recognisably imperfect characters at its core * Sunday Times Style *
Dizzyingly beautiful * Grazia *
A vividly drawn cast of supporting characters enhances this absorbing and carefully balanced novel - narrated from both Tom and Ming's perspectives - which manages to be both deeply touching and wickedly witty. * Daily Mail *
Dinan's gift as a writer is her ability to make us feel - when her characters cry, we cry; when they laugh, we laugh; and everybody is changed by the end of this novel, including the reader. A beautiful love story and an exceptional debut. * Irish Times *
This begins as a boy-meets-boy love story, but when the couple leaves university to go to London, one goes through the process of transitioning and the story is about what happens to their relationship from that. It's a really beautiful, underrepresented love story in fiction. * i, Debuts To Keep An Eye On In 2023 *
A novel overspilling with care and affection for its characters.... The hype for her book is high * i-D magazine *

ISBN: 9781804991237

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 21mm

Weight: 250g

352 pages