Keeping the House

‘Keeping the House is a truly beautiful debut. A mistress of deftly sketched characters that become whole humans in a few lines, Cin tells stories of working-class, inner-city life steeped in truth, emotion and vulnerability. She is one of a new generation of writers who see the splendour of these streets and articulate it with great majesty.’ Courttia Newland, Guardian Best Books of 2021 ---- ‘Crackling with energy . . . An exhilaratingly idiosyncratic first novel, Keeping the House has “cult classic” written all over it.’ Michael Donkor, The Guardian ---- ‘An enthralling read.’Fanny Blake, Daily Mail ---- ‘Cin has a gift for evocative writing.’ Michael Magras, Washington Post ---- ‘Rich and complex . . . There is treachery in Cin’s Tottenham but solidarity too.’ Stewart Home, 3:AM Magazine ---- ‘In her debut novel, Tice Cin weaves an extraordinary plot from the everyday lives in a community of Turkish Cypriots . . . Cin is capable of that gift that great storytellers have of bringing you into a world you may never inhabit, or even encounter, and make you feel that you are on first name terms with its whole population.’ John-Paul Davies, Buzz Magazine ---- ‘[Keeping the House] expertly interweaves questions about family, community, trauma and belonging into episodes that are often humorous, sometimes heart-breaking but always poetic.’ Kerri Logan, The Skinny ---- ‘This is a novel unapologetically specific to its depicted community, and, well, if you’re not going to let the author lead you, why do you read at all?’ Lisa McInerney, Stinging Fly ---- ‘An exciting new talent debuts with Keeping the House. This mercurial novel . . . has a raw energy and inconsistency . . . Cin makes a virtue of its unevenness, reflecting the patchwork, organic nature of a dynamic community.’ Alastair Mabott, Herald Scotland ---- ‘Tice Cin is a fine stylist . . . Keeping the House breaks free from drug-novel stereotypes to paint a fresh, fun and vivid picture of drug-dealing in today's Tottenham.’ Laura Waddell, The Scotsman ---- 'Keeping the House is such a bold and yet poignant read: musical, nimble, affectionate and (thank GOD) rule-breaking.' Lisa McInerney----'Written with immediacy and poignancy, this is a powerful debut from an exciting and compelling new voice, I loved it.' Salena Godden----'Tice Cin has arrived. With a style all her own and a confidence that radiates off each page, poetry that renders settings and characters incredibly vivid. No impression will escape you.' Derek Owusu----'Keeping The House drew me in from the first few lines. A glorious novel which thrums with feeling, illustrating the London community with a sharp and confident eye. Her characters are full and sure, and traverse their world with humour, boldness and love. Hope fills these pages.' Caleb Azumah Nelson, author of Open Water ----'A brilliantly enthralling read. Tice Cin's potent crime caper marks the arrival of an intoxicating new voice.' Irenosen Okojie, author of Nudibranch----Bookseller quotes:----'A bold and assured debut that rethinks what a crime novel can be.' Ollie Simpson, Pages of Hackney-----'Tice Cin fuses wild lyricism with dreamy romance in a form as voracious and alive as her characters.' So Mayer, Burley Fisher Books ----'A swirling collage of a novel that explores the dark side of a London community with great energy and warmth.' Kate Ellis, Brick Lane Bookshop ----'The Great Tottenham Novel exists and it's called Keeping the House. I loved it.' Gary Perry, Foyles ----'Cin's natural poetry and the unique rhythm of her storytelling weave a spellbinding narrative through several generations of Turkish Cypriot family. A captivating read from a powerful new voice!' Antony Hurley, Burley Fisher Books