Alice Jolly Livres

In this astonishing Folio Prize-shortlisted novel, Alice Jolly gives joyful, poetic voice to the silenced women of the past

Words begin to lose their meanings, flaking off into air like moths. Friendships cultivated over a lifetime fall apart in testing circumstances. What does the stranger with yellow eyes really want? From Far Around They Saw Us Burn is the eagerly awaited first short story collection from Alice Jolly, one of the most exciting and accomplished voices in British fiction today. The extraordinary range of work gathered here is united by a fascination with how everyday interactions can transform our lives in unpredictable ways. These are stories of lonely people, outcasts and misfits, and the ghosts that inhabit our intimate spaces. The result is a compelling, arresting and, at times, devastating collection - not least in the title story, which was inspired by the tragic true events of the 1943 Cavan orphanage fire. Written with an exemplary eye for detail and an intimate understanding of the complexities of human nature, Jolly's collection builds up towards the ultimate question: what is revealed of us when we peel away the surfaces, and is it enough?

Written by award-winning author Alice Jolly, and based on an idea by the book lovers of Swindon town, this funny and, ultimately, dystopian tale, reminds us of the importance of literature in an increasingly dark world.

When Alice Jolly's second child was stillborn and all subsequent attempts to have another baby failed, she began to consider every possible option, no matter how unorthodox.

The author examines the complex bonds between parents and children under extraordinary pressure, exploring what occurs when these relationships are strained and fundamental loyalties are challenged.

An exquisite and original take on the family saga, from the PEN Ackerley Prize-winning Alice Jolly