A Sense of Occasion

Reviews / Votes

Crellin has a genius for tracking the internal logic behind all kinds of catastrophically bad behavior. A Sense of Occasion is a wonderful book, at once shrewd and ethereal. -- Chris Kraus Crellin is an astonishing writer, their sentences ring like bells and are so sharp and perfect. This book is sexy, terrifying, keen and startling -- Daisy Johnson An outstanding debut by a singular voice. A Sense of Occasion favours honesty over sentimentality, embracing the claustrophobic atmosphere of totally dysfunctional families. A rare, funny novel -- Nicola Dinan Perfectly paced; sexy and intelligent and truly profound on the costs of living and performing one's sexuality in public and private -- Merve Emre So smart, often so funny, and incredibly moving, Brodie Crellin explores love, desire, family, and dynamics of power, care and dependence with total honesty. Brodie's amazing on the complex, often fraught relationships between the family and the individual, on the psychological asymmetries inherent to intimacy, and on the ways that reality can start to feel contingent on the presence of another person. Masterfully constructed, yet so vivid and absorbing that I frequently forgot it was constructed at all. A profound, immersive, visceral, tender, deeply accomplished and completely unique novel -- Harriet Armstrong An immensely fun read in which prickly, awkward people do prickly, awkward things in such soft, funny, human ways that you cannot help but be charmed by them all. A delight! -- Lizzy Stewart Unforgettable. . . Crellin explores the boundless complications of sexuality, desire and love with rigor, intelligence and humor. Here are characters and relationships which feel strange, distinctive and always true -- Rachel Connolly A stylish debut, funny and fluent and surprising. Brodie Crellin is interested in the things we talk about, think about and do with our bodies to avoid squaring up to grief -- Tom Lamont A Sense of Occasion is a magnificent debut, and a game changer. I can't remember the last time I read something so bold, tender, sexy and funny -- Camilla Grudova A cracking read, unapologetic in its transgression: a dark domestic comedy of kinks and class... a wickedly sharp and impressive first outing for those with the stomach * Daily Mail *