A short, lush novel about sex, second chances and taking control in a man's world
It is 1954, and prostitution is legal in the tropical haven that is Verona Island. Here, among gangsters and corrupt lawmen, Lila Gulliver runs a brothel that promises her exclusive clientele privacy and discretion. When nineteen-year-old Caritá, beautiful and blind since birth, comes to her door seeking employment, Mrs Gulliver sees a business opportunity and takes a chance. Caritá is mesmerising, sharp and a mystery to her employer, always holding herself at a distance. One night, the son of a wealthy judge patronises Mrs Gulliver's establishment, immediately falling madly in love with Caritá. This is Ian Drohan - young, idealistic and cushioned by wealth and family connections. Mrs Gulliver mistrusts him, and worries for Caritá's future. Caritá, on the other hand, is fearless, headstrong and a force of nature that Mrs Gulliver is always several steps behind. A dazzling drama filled with sex, wry wit and literary references, Mrs Gulliver follows two women who have nothing to lose in their fight for agency on an island too ready to dismiss them
"Irresistible - a funny, sexy romp that's also smart, even wise" - Kirkus starred review
"An elegant, deftly crafted tale" - Sunday Post
"Brilliant" - Daily Mal
"A quirky and enjoyable twist on an old story with plenty of plot and thematic oomph. Rich in unabashed raunchiness, it toys with feminist tropes and hands us a heroine who is superficially fragile, yet very much in command of her own destiny" - Big Issue
"Captivating ... In Mrs. Gulliver, Valerie Martin offers us an idyll, perhaps even a comedy. All's well that ends well. We hope" - Bookpage starred review
"Martin's surprisingly playful latest observes two strong-willed women as they make the best of their initially unfortunate lives ... it's a pleasure to get to know both of her intelligent and resourceful heroines" - Booklist
"This is an excellent character-written novel. You get invested in their lives, and want to read along and see what happens to them. You will not want to put this one down" - Red Carpet Crash
"Lila is a beguiling narrator, offering often shrewd observations, and Carita is an appealingly canny protagonist" - The Times
"An intriguing, well-written gem, it slips down as sweetly as a sonnet" - Buzz Magazine
"Martin's writing is a reward in itself, a wonderful precision-tool. She uses it to chisel at the human condition - and the effect is astonishing" - Financial Times
"Valerie Martin is a fleet-footed writer; you never quite know where she'll go next" - Observer
"The generosity of Martin's understanding opens every character to the full, astounding range of human possibility. Her revelations build mesmerizing excitement, a surprising kindness, and an unexpected sanity in the darkness" - Washington Post Book World
"An enrapturing and ruthless storyteller, Valerie Martin possesses a predator's ability to mesmerize her prey . . . Martin's tales of betrayal, obsession, connivance, and failure put the firepower back into art" - Chicago Tribune
"Martin is a vibrant force in American fiction" - Times New Orleans