Chris McQueer - Hermit

We're delighted to be welcoming Chris McQueer to the bookshop for the Edinburgh launch of his debut novel, Hermit. The darkly funny, moving debut novel from acclaimed Scottish author of the short story collections Hings and HWFG. McQueer will be in conversation with fellow writer Kirstin Innes.

In-person vouchers can be redeemed on the night of the event against a single copy of Hermit – we will have a list of attendees with vouchers to be redeemed. Please note that only one voucher can be redeemed per book. Livestream vouchers are valid until the day after the event and can be redeemed on our website against a single copy of Hermit.

About Hermit:

Since dropping out of school three years ago with no qualifications, no pals, and no ambition, Jamie Skelton spends most of his days asleep and most of his nights wanking, playing video games with his online friend, Lee, and occasionally making the journey downstairs to the kitchen for a microwave burger. He hasn't left the house in months, and now he's not sure he can.

Fiona, Jamie's maw, is trying her best, but since finding the courage to kick out her abusive husband her confidence has never recovered. She goes to work every day, but otherwise she's not that different from her son – withdrawn from life, without friends. She knows their lives can't carry on like this, but she's at a loss to know how to change things.

When Fiona tries to get Jamie to apply for a job, he sees her as the cause for all of his problems. Then Lee tells Jamie he's realised there's a name for what they are – incels – and that there's a guy he's met through the forums they can go stay with in London, to get away from their nagging mams.

But running away from his problems at home, Jamie may actually run towards something much worse.