The superb follow-up to the bestselling THE SOLDIER'S RETURN

Longlisted for the Booker Prize

After the upheavals of the Second World War, the Richardson family - Sam, Ellen and their young son Joe - settle back to working-class life in the Cumbrian town of Wigton. Yet for them, as for so many, life will never be the same again. As the old order begins to be challenged and new vistas open, Sam and Ellen forge their future together with differing needs and desires - and conflicting expectations of Joe, who grows up with his own demons to confront.

"[A] deeply humane and acutely truthful novel" - Peter Kemp, Sunday Times

"A compelling sequel to his award-winning tour de force, THE SOLDIER'S RETURN" - Frank Egerton, Financial Times

"Full of a simple poetry that is deeply evocative . . . even better than THE SOLDIER'S RETURN" - Carol Birch, Independent

"A novel of remarkable power and grace . . . his authenticity is astounding" - Roy Hattersley, The Times

"Shot through with blazing integrity and authenticity" - Val Hennessy, Daily Mail