The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line
As read on Radio 4
Published on 7. January 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-913207-36-6 (ISBN)
Description
'Subtle, Wry and Intimate' - The Times
Sybil was happy with her perfectly average life. She had a decent job, working for the Royal Institute of Prehistorical Studies, and a happy relationship with her boyfriend, Simon. That is, until Helen Hansen, Sybil's undergraduate nemesis, re-enters her world, and now life as she knows it is unfurling in front of her eyes.
After an unfortunate ice-rink incident that led to a short stay in hospital, Simon and Helen go home together, leaving Sybil not only concussed but loveless. To add insult to injury, Helen has now been appointed Head of Trustees at work, making her a permanent fixture in Sybil's daily life. Helen reflects everything Sybil isn't, and she becomes fixated on exposing Helen as a fraud, no matter the cost.
Witty, offbeat and subtle, Ruth Thomas captures our hearts in The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line with Sybil's sarcastic narration, wry observations and real emotion. As featured on **BBC Radio 4 as book of the week*, *The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line tells the story of the life of a twenty-something; messy, honest, at some points lonely, but altogether full of heart.
Sybil was happy with her perfectly average life. She had a decent job, working for the Royal Institute of Prehistorical Studies, and a happy relationship with her boyfriend, Simon. That is, until Helen Hansen, Sybil's undergraduate nemesis, re-enters her world, and now life as she knows it is unfurling in front of her eyes.
After an unfortunate ice-rink incident that led to a short stay in hospital, Simon and Helen go home together, leaving Sybil not only concussed but loveless. To add insult to injury, Helen has now been appointed Head of Trustees at work, making her a permanent fixture in Sybil's daily life. Helen reflects everything Sybil isn't, and she becomes fixated on exposing Helen as a fraud, no matter the cost.
Witty, offbeat and subtle, Ruth Thomas captures our hearts in The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line with Sybil's sarcastic narration, wry observations and real emotion. As featured on **BBC Radio 4 as book of the week*, *The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line tells the story of the life of a twenty-something; messy, honest, at some points lonely, but altogether full of heart.
Reviews / Votes
'I would follow Sybil down any domestic/Beckett rabbit hole' 'Sybil is an audible presence, someone that must be taken on her own terms, in her own words. The almost zen handling of voice is a joy.' 'I just think it's glorious. Absolutely brilliant! So funny so sad, so uplifting and so gripping. What a cracker!' 'Resonant and romantic, sad but never sentimental and laced through with wicked shafts of humour' 'Wry, sharp and tender. A delight' 'I LOVED IT! All the best bits of Barbara Pym, with a little Jane Austen - on speed' Subtle, wry, intimate. * The Times * Funny, sharply-observed story of betrayal and revenge. * BBC Radio 4 * A delight of a book as a personal read that leaves positive and heart -warming emotions in its wake. * NB Magazine *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 200 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
265 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-913207-36-6 (9781913207366)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Ruth Thomas
The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line
E-Book
01/2021
Sandstone Press Ltd
€3.59
Available for download
Person
Ruth Thomas is the author of three short story collections and two novels, as well as many short stories anthologised and broadcast on the BBC.
Her writing has won and been shortlisted for various prizes, including the John Llewellyn Rhys Award, the Saltire First Book Award, the VS Pritchett Prize and the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award.
She lives in Edinburgh and is currently an Advisory Fellow for the Royal Literary Fund. The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line is her third novel.
Her writing has won and been shortlisted for various prizes, including the John Llewellyn Rhys Award, the Saltire First Book Award, the VS Pritchett Prize and the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award.
She lives in Edinburgh and is currently an Advisory Fellow for the Royal Literary Fund. The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line is her third novel.