- Published: 19 June 2014
- ISBN: 9781473505230
- Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
- Format: EBook
- Pages: 416
A Song for Issy Bradley
The moving, beautiful Richard and Judy Book Club pick
- Published: 19 June 2014
- ISBN: 9781473505230
- Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
- Format: EBook
- Pages: 416
A brilliant debut, compelling and profoundly moving.
Nathan Filer, Costa winner of THE SHOCK OF THE FALL
I loved this tender, moving, funny and deeply truthful story about a family and a faith tested to breaking-point.
Helen Dunmore, author of THE LIE
I loved A SONG FOR ISSY BRADLEY: such courage, warmth and intelligence. Carys Bray sweetly and subtly breaks your heart. It's an incredible debut.
Charlotte Mendelson, author of Booker-longlisted ALMOST ENGLISH and Orange Prize-shortlisted, WHEN WE WERE BAD
Such strong writing, with so much fine imagery . . . very moving. It sings. The characters are completely believable and their grief is conveyed with a truly admirable, unsentimental lightness of touch, which brought laughter between the tears.
Emma Henderson, author of Orange-shortlisted GRACE WILLIAMS SAYS IT LOUD
In places it is devastating, but it is also unexpectedly funny, even joyful, a hugely impressive novel about what it means to grieve – and to be part of a family.
The Bookseller
A terrific book . . . I loved A SONG FOR ISSY BRADLEY ... it’s moving and comforting in a way that makes sense even to the agnostic.
Nick Hornby
I was hooked by this beadily observed and moving portrayal of grief, doubt and faith.
Debut of the Month, Woman & Home
Uncontrollable bawling on public transport alert! … Deeply effecting… A seriously impressive debut
Glamour magazine
A powerful, heart-breaking book.
Daily Express
I cannot remember a time when a novel has seduced me so completely . . . Bray writes with such clarity, intelligence and authenticity that it feels as if a trusted old friend is telling you the story, that the characters are people you know.
The Times
Bray slips with thoroughness, imagination and dexterity into each of the characters' consciousness . . . [She] is wincingly honest and emotions are portrayed with an assurance that comes from understanding . . . A Song for Issy Bradley is a skilful and empathetic dramatisation. The fact that it deals with such distressing subject matter without falling prey to sentimentality makes it all the more admirable . . . There are some wonderful one-liners . . .Bray's greatest gift, however, is understatement.
Grace McCleen, Guardian
Bray performs a small miracle of her own by inhabiting each family member at every stage of the tragedy as their doubts and fears creep in . . . [and] manages it with an astonishing lightness of touch . . . A stunning, unmissable debut.
Christie Hickman, Sunday Express
Bray explores the healing power of religion with rare assurance in one of the year's most impressive debuts.
Mail on Sunday
While this debut is heart-rendingly poignant with a bleak tragedy at its heart, it's also funny and vividly written.
Sunday Mirror
Bray brings humour, empathy and knowledge to what is fundamentally a novel about grief and faith ... Read this if you like: Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You.
Harper's Bazaar
Happy the debut novelist who can write well but who also has access to extraordinary subject matter. This is an impressive debut from a compassionate, wise and original new voice.
Suzi Feay, Independent
Wonderful ... heartbreaking, compassionate and funny.
Shelley Harris, Independent on Sunday
unique . . . beautifully written . . . powerful
Daily Mail
Just beautiful.
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