Identical twins, Georgia and Bessi, live in the loft of 26 Waifer Avenue. It is a place of beanbags, nectarines and secrets, and visitors must always knock before entering. Down below there is not such harmony. Their Nigerian mother puts cayenne pepper on her Yorkshire pudding and has mysterious ways of dealing with homesickness; their father angrily roams the streets of Neasden, prey to the demons of his Derbyshire upbringing. Forced to create their own identities, the Hunter children build a separate universe. Older sister Bel discovers sex, high heels and organic hairdressing, the twins prepare for a flapjack empire, while baby sister Kemy learns to moonwalk for Michael Jackson. It is when the reality comes knocking that the fantasies of childhood start to give way. How will Georgia and Bessi cope in a world of separateness and solitude, and which of them will be stronger? Wickedly funny and devastatingly moving, 26a is an extraordinary first novel. Part fairytale, part nightmare, it moves from the mundane to the magical, the particular to the universal with exceptional flair and imagination. It is for anyone who has had a childhood, and anyone who knows what it is to lose one.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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A hugely assured and very moving first novel (Mark Haddon Sunday Telegraph )
A remarkable first novel...vibrant...exotic (Sunday Times )
The Great Neasden Novel has arrived...Haunting and cherishable...A hugely promising debut (Independent )
A dazzling debut...I adored this book; I defy anyone to read the final pages without tears in their eyes. Easily the best book of the year so far (Scotsman )
This sparky debut novel... Enthralling from the first page, this bittersweet fusion of fairytales and nightmares is sugared by nostalgia and salted with sadness, Hephzibah Anderson, Daily Mail (Hephzibah Anderson, Daily Mail ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
A remarkable first novel...vibrant...exotic (Sunday Times )
The Great Neasden Novel has arrived...Haunting and cherishable...A hugely promising debut (Independent )
A dazzling debut...I adored this book; I defy anyone to read the final pages without tears in their eyes. Easily the best book of the year so far (Scotsman )
This sparky debut novel... Enthralling from the first page, this bittersweet fusion of fairytales and nightmares is sugared by nostalgia and salted with sadness, Hephzibah Anderson, Daily Mail (Hephzibah Anderson, Daily Mail ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
Diana Evans is the new literary voice of multicultural Britain. Her unforgettable first novel has all the heartbreak of Brick Lane and all the vibrancy of White Teeth, but a very special magic of its own.
--This text refers to the
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A complete list of books dealing with twins and the special bond between them would probably take longer to read than most novels, but few of the novels on that list could give such an impression of what it is like to experience that bond, or be as enjoyable to read, as '26a'.
Evans' novel tells the story of the Hunter family, and especially the twins Bessi and Georgia. We follow them from childhood to adulthood, in Neasden and Nigeria, and through the different experiences of their lives. One of the impressive aspects of this novel (and there are many) is the way that Evans gives the reader such an impression of what it means to be a twin, not by characters telling us but by showing us the way the twins think and interact so that we can see and feel it for ourselves.
But it would be wrong to give the impression that the focus is entirely on the twins. The rest of the Hunter family all have their own character journeys which are extremely well handled. You might not like each member of the family all the time, but they are still compelling and real. All of the incidental characters in the novel also leave a strong imprint on the mind of the reader, even if their appearance is fleeting, such is Evans' skill with swift characterisation.
Another way in which '26a' is impressive is the way it balances all the different elements. In particular, the way that comedy is mixed with tragedy so that rather than clashing they actually enhance each other. '26a' is a book that is frequently funny, but which also deals with the more distressing side of life - and Evans shows herself equally adept at both.
But perhaps the most impressive thing about '26a' is that it is a debut novel. If you didn't know this when you read it you could be forgiven for not realising, such is the assurance and the strength of voice Evans displays. Her prose is sharp, funny and moving, her characters convincing and compelling, and her future very bright indeed. I strongly recommend you read this novel now, before you're accused of band-wagon jumping when she really takes off - because she will.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By J. Streeter
Format:Paperback
26a is a story about a mixed White/Nigerian family growing up in Britain and briefly in Nigeria in the 1980s and 1990s. The characterisation is deep, emotional and superb and one is really drawn in to feel empathy with each character in some way. The prose is beautiful and the pace is constant with a good rhythm. I understand from another reviewer that this is partly autobiographical which makes the story only more impacting. In summary, this is an excellent read and gives the reader a great insight into the lives and thoughts of four girls growing up in late 20th century Britian but my only warning is that this is a tragedy. It is incredibly sad and the descriptions of onsetting mental illness/depression and its outcome at the end are poignant and perhaps too upsetting for some.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Reader
Format:Paperback
Words cannot express the emotions that this book stirred in me. I read this book with such a heavy heart and a lump in my throat. Diane Evans so accurately describes and explains all the emotions that Georgia and Bessi experience, taking the reader along with them. I cannot explain how much the 2 characters became a part of my world whilst I was reading this book. I genuinely felt fear and frustration for Georgia and ached to be able to help her. Never before has a book touched me or affected me so much. This is the most moving and emotional book I have ever read! I would urge everyone I know to read this book and I defy anyone not to love it.
I read many great books in 2006 but this was by far my favourite book of the year - if not ever! Diane Evans certainly deserves every award she won for this book.
I read many great books in 2006 but this was by far my favourite book of the year - if not ever! Diane Evans certainly deserves every award she won for this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Weird and wonderful
I read this for our Book Goup and it certainly gave us plenty to talk about. The style of writing is unusual and took a bit of getting used to, however it was well worth the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Tessa Atkins
3.0 out of 5 stars
Family myths
26a is a colourful story of four girls growing up in Neasdon, near Brixton, with their Nigerian mother, Ida, who is like a fish out of water in this strange, cold country, and... Read more
Published 10 months ago by neverendings
4.0 out of 5 stars
the devastating girls
A novel about mixed race twins growing up in Neasden. Beautifully written throughout, the characters are developed by attention to little things associated with them, like satsumas... Read more
Published 18 months ago by biffothebovverboy
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you fail to be moved by this book I question whether you are a...
4.5/5
I have just completed reading '26A' for the second time and I am as enthralled now as I was on my first encounter with it, if not more. Read more
I have just completed reading '26A' for the second time and I am as enthralled now as I was on my first encounter with it, if not more. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2010 by BlestMiss T
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Emotional Journey
26a, the first book by Diana Evans, is a poetic, beautifully written novel telling the story of twins Georgia and Bessi who guide you through their childhood and adolescence. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by Ms. R. A. Jessney
5.0 out of 5 stars
The mystery of our lives
As an identical twin, I completely identified with the two main characters in this story (Bessi and Georgia). Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2009 by Lark Spring
3.0 out of 5 stars
Strange!
Well I am left having read this book and still not knowing if I enjoyed it or not? Glad I read it, however not at all what I expected from the synopsis! Read more
Published on 25 May 2008 by LindyLouMac
4.0 out of 5 stars
Touching and sensitive book
I'm glad this book was recommended to me otherwise I would never have picked it up. The blurb does not do justice to the depth and sensitivities of the novel and topics touched... Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2007 by Netty
2.0 out of 5 stars
Difficult to get in to and then frankly a little dull
There's a story in there, somewhere, but it really does take an age for it to come out. It's very 'sensitive' though if you like that kind of thing.
Published on 20 Sep 2007 by Claire Marshall
4.0 out of 5 stars
Magical ..
Story about the Hunter family living at no 26a in Neasden, originating from Nigeria.
Mum finds it hard to settle in England,husband is a character and the children are... Read more
Mum finds it hard to settle in England,husband is a character and the children are... Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2007 by CK
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