Cuckoo
The new novel about family and motherhood from the author of The Panic Years
Published on 29. August 2024
352 pages
978-1-4735-8711-3 (ISBN)
Description
After Nancy's father dies, she is faced with two life-changing revelations.
One: She has a half-brother she knew nothing about.
Nancy's world is punched inside out at the discovery of a mysterious new sibling. But she can't help but feel curious about Oliver, this stranger who shares her DNA. Her sister Rita, on the other hand, is furious and wants nothing to do with their 'cuckoo' brother.
Two: She's pregnant.
The father - Nancy's not-quite-boyfriend from her not-quite-relationship - doesn't want to commit any time soon. He isn't even in the same continent as her right now. And with her mother and sister in shock about Oliver, Nancy's struggling to find someone to turn to for support.
In a tumult of grief, fear and hope, Nancy pushes herself into an uncertain future as she rethinks what really makes a family. But there's one more thought in the back of her head...
Is there space in her family for two more?
One: She has a half-brother she knew nothing about.
Nancy's world is punched inside out at the discovery of a mysterious new sibling. But she can't help but feel curious about Oliver, this stranger who shares her DNA. Her sister Rita, on the other hand, is furious and wants nothing to do with their 'cuckoo' brother.
Two: She's pregnant.
The father - Nancy's not-quite-boyfriend from her not-quite-relationship - doesn't want to commit any time soon. He isn't even in the same continent as her right now. And with her mother and sister in shock about Oliver, Nancy's struggling to find someone to turn to for support.
In a tumult of grief, fear and hope, Nancy pushes herself into an uncertain future as she rethinks what really makes a family. But there's one more thought in the back of her head...
Is there space in her family for two more?
Reviews / Votes
Smart and funny, it had me from page one * Meg Mason * Reliably compelling, always insightful and very entertaining writing from the wonderful Nell Frizzell * Clover Stroud * Cuckoo is so warm, tender and beautiful . . . This is a spellbinding story about love, families and what makes us truly grow up. I adored it * Daisy Buchanan * Carefully observed and sensitively described . . . poignant * Financial Times * This was stunning . . . a really different kind of 'found family' novel. I was so invested in the characters by the end that I kept picking up the book again to see if there was any more * Lauren Bravo * Nell has that special ability to write about the most true, most slippery parts of life in a deliciously frank, simple and frequently hilarious way - she'll make you laugh, cry and think * Alice Vincent * A frank and funny exploration of family * i * Nell Frizzell is one of our funniest and most observant writers - how lucky we are to have her * Kat Brown * The wondrous Nell Frizzell does 'when ancestry,com goes wrong' (great premise) with very entertaining weird family results * Amy Liptrot * Funny and full of life and ideas, reading Nell Frizzell is like meeting a new friend * Josie Long *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Transworld Publishers Ltd
File size
1,01 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-4735-8711-3 (9781473587113)
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
Person
Nell Frizzell is a writer, journalist and Vogue columnist. She has written and worked for the Guardian, VICE, The Sunday Times, Elle, the BBC, the Observer, Grazia and The Independent among many others. Her first book, The Panic Years, was an exploration of bodies, babies and the big questions facing modern life. Her debut novel, Square One, painted a humorous picture of moving home, fathers and daughters and surviving heartbreak. She lives in Oxford, in a very small house full of pasta and bedding and bikes.
