Avril Joy Ordre des livres

Set in 1875, the story follows Simone Gastrell, who is committed to Long Meadows Asylum by her unfaithful husband. Inside, she forms a bond with two other women: Alice Semple, a silent herbalist who documents her thoughts, and Phoebe Baines, a fragile soul lost in her own mind. In a male-dominated world, they find solace in their friendship and the beauty of the gardens. As the asylum's environment becomes increasingly perilous, the trio discovers their strength and voices, uniting to confront their harsh reality and fight for their survival.

Avril Joy's collection showcases her best stories, blending both published and unpublished works. The narratives explore themes of hope amidst loss, personal transformation, and redemption, highlighting the enduring power of love. Notable pieces include the Costa-winning "Millie and Bird" and "A Morning Tide," which was shortlisted for the Fish Short Memoir Prize. Through her poignant storytelling, Joy captures the complexities of human experience and emotion.

Exploring the lives of women confined behind walls and bars, this poetry collection delves into their hopes and fears with remarkable authenticity. The author captures the complexity of these voices, offering a poignant and humorous perspective that few can truly understand. With a breathtakingly original style, the poems invite readers to empathize with experiences that are often overlooked, revealing the depth and resilience of the human spirit.

Set in a river boat community in Arkansas in the 1930s, this poignant story chronicles Aiyana Weir's spirited determination to break away from a life, like that of the women around her, defined and dominated by brutal patriarchy. Aiyana's voice, unique, hesitant and uneducated, expresses the turmoil of her inner world through the details and rhythms of her beloved river and charts her secret pursuit of literacy - her only means of escape from the abuse of her father and the indifference of the man to whom she is casually given. Her grandmother, a mythical figure steeped in wisdom and folklore, and her brother, Lyle, are Aiyana's only allies in her struggle for survival and as shameless plans to leave the river.

The first full short story collection from the winner of the 2012 Costa Short Story Prize, 'Millie & Bird' explores a landscape of fragile lives bound by the invisible threads of place.