Jem Lester Livres

'An unforgettable first novel' The Times * * * * * THE EBOOK BESTSELLER ABOUT FATHERS, SONS AND LOVE Ten-year-old Jonah lives in a world of his own. He likes colours and feathers and the feel of fresh air on his skin. He dislikes sudden loud noises and any change to his daily routine. Jonah has never spoken, yet somehow he communicates better than all of the adults in his life. Inspired by the author's experiences with his own son, SHTUM is a novel about three generations of a family learning to get along. * * * * * 'A book with true heart and soul' Joanna Cannon 'Whether you think Shtum is a novel about autism or about marriage (it's both, by the way), you will agree that it is, in the end, a love story infused with wit, charm, and a deep appreciation for the complex beauty of damaged souls.' Jonathan Tropper

Set against the backdrop of the tragic Kings Cross fire in 1987, the story follows Abigail, a mother of two, as she navigates the chaos after the disaster. Physically unharmed but emotionally shaken, she becomes disoriented and, in her desperation to reach her children, inadvertently embarks on a journey that leads her further from home. As she travels, she grapples with her sense of freedom and the increasing difficulty of returning to her family, exploring themes of motherhood, loss, and the search for identity amid crisis.