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Product Description
Review
"A novel that pulses with rhythm, texture, language, and a
story that keeps you locked to its pages. Brutally honest,
expertly woven, and utterly mesmerizing. I loved this book." --Naseem Rakha, author of the international bestseller The Crying Tree
story that keeps you locked to its pages. Brutally honest,
expertly woven, and utterly mesmerizing. I loved this book." --Naseem Rakha, author of the international bestseller The Crying Tree
"An intensely personal, wrenching, and ultimately redeeming
coming-of-age story by a striking new talent." --Frank Huyler, author of Right of Thirst and The Laws of Invisible Things
"[A] deeply moving, wonderfully written first novel." --The Times
"A gut-wrenching and gorgeously lyrical debut novel
...Engrossing and human to the core, Edwards's novel wrings
the heart in the most tender of ways." --Publishers Weekly
"One to watch." --Daily Mail
"Set in London's dreary East End, Yvvette Edwards's beautifully
crafted debut novel reflects the mood of this claustrophobic
neighbourhood...Montserratian-British writer, Edwards, cleverly
combines the colourful exoticism of the West Indies
with the bleak suburbs of London. And by intermittently
dropping subtle hints about that fateful night, the reader feels
compelled to read on to discover the truth behind the murder
- and is not disappointed." --Press Association
"An elegantly structured story of guilt and redemption. A
Cupboard Full of Coats is a masterfully structured novel,
building suspense even though the ending is revealed on the
first page. Impressive in its psychological complexity, this is one
of the best novels I've read this year." --Gwendolyn Dawson, Publishing Perspectives
"A stunning debut novel." --Lovereading.co.uk
"An impressive debut, particularly notable for its pellucid
prose." --Kirkus Reviews
"Love a book that's full of drama? Then look no further than A Cupboard Full of Coats...a page-turner in every sense!" --Pride Magazine
"A gripping first novel...Edwards presents sharp nuances of
human nature and idiosyncrasies of intimate relationships
that will resonate with every reader. She has created complete, compelling characters and a narrative that grows ever more absorbing as it unfolds." --Hackney Citizen
"A distinctive and talented new voice...A Cupboard Full of
Coats is a debut to be celebrated and savoured. Five stars."
--New Internationalist
"Rich in emotion but resolutely unsentimental, the story is unspooled with judgement and skill... Edwards's clear, colloquial prose is full of quietly impressive phrase-making... The performance is a wholly satisfying one and the novel's valedictory suggestions of redemption feel earned, solid, and real." --Literary Review
"[A] deeply moving, wonderfully written first novel." --The Times
Product Description
For fourteen years Jinx has been haunted by the brutal murder of her mother. Crushed by the weight of loss and guilt, she is unable to move on from the memories of her childhood that are poisoning her life and all her relationships. The sudden arrival of Lemon, an old friend of her mother's, changes everything. He wants to talk about that night and he won t leave until she's shared her story her whole story. Over the course of one searing weekend they strip away the layers of the past to lay bare a family drama full of jealousy and tragic betrayal. Fuelled by Lemon's sumptuous cooking and intoxicating story-telling the intensity mounts and dark secrets are uncovered. But as Jinx's life threatens to fall apart for a second time, she finally begins to believe that redemption may be within her grasp. Blending true East London spirit with a heady Caribbean spice, Edwards has crafted a novel of breathtaking elegance, announcing a fierce new talent in British fiction.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A Cupboard Full of Coats is an interesting novel which does well (for the most part) to steer clear of stereotypes.
It is set in multi-racial East London where many people have mixed heritage and skin colour matters - especially to young people. The novel follows the story of Jinxy, both in the present day as her life in interrupted by a visit from Lemon, an older man from Montserrat, whom she remembers as the friend of Berris, the man her mother invited into her life many years earlier.
Told in twin timelines, Jinxy unpicks both the devastation that her mother's relationship with Berris brought to bear and also the bones the bones of her adult life, lonely and enduring a failing relationship with her son. Within these timelines, the narrative is erratic and non-linear. Frequently Jinxy will drop a bombshell as though everyone knew it, only to explain the situation some time later.
The narrative has a real intensity; the pressure of a long conversation spread over a weekend wit only Jinxy and Lemon present to offer their differing perspectives. Moreover, the two have a chemistry between them which may not be entirely healthy.
As far as breaking away from stereotypes, Jinxy is not on the breadline; she has steady work in dressing and presenting bodies, working with various funeral parlours. Money is not an issue; rather than yet another book about sleeping in coalsacks, we have designer products, lotions and potions, fur coats and frequent references to cooking sumptuous Caribbean food. This gives the characters the opportunity to explore their personal relationships and flawed personalities.
Yet for all the complexity, A Cupboard Full Of Coats doesn't always hit the right note. The non-linear narrative can be an encumbrance - it can make reading slow and requires great concentration. There is sometimes a feeling that this is done as a trick to make a straightforward story seem more profound. And the narrative is also not always gripping. On more than one occasion, I found myself skipping back pages that I realized I had read but not digested.
Yet the lasting memory is of a novel where the whole does add up to more than its parts. There is a good study of guilt and isolation. There is a real sense of being the outsider - both in society and within a family. Domestic abuse is done well, with the focus more on the psychological than the physical - the need for control and keeping face.
And most of all, there's a sense of Hackney as a place where real people live, not cartoon kids acting out the latest edition of News At Ten.
It is set in multi-racial East London where many people have mixed heritage and skin colour matters - especially to young people. The novel follows the story of Jinxy, both in the present day as her life in interrupted by a visit from Lemon, an older man from Montserrat, whom she remembers as the friend of Berris, the man her mother invited into her life many years earlier.
Told in twin timelines, Jinxy unpicks both the devastation that her mother's relationship with Berris brought to bear and also the bones the bones of her adult life, lonely and enduring a failing relationship with her son. Within these timelines, the narrative is erratic and non-linear. Frequently Jinxy will drop a bombshell as though everyone knew it, only to explain the situation some time later.
The narrative has a real intensity; the pressure of a long conversation spread over a weekend wit only Jinxy and Lemon present to offer their differing perspectives. Moreover, the two have a chemistry between them which may not be entirely healthy.
As far as breaking away from stereotypes, Jinxy is not on the breadline; she has steady work in dressing and presenting bodies, working with various funeral parlours. Money is not an issue; rather than yet another book about sleeping in coalsacks, we have designer products, lotions and potions, fur coats and frequent references to cooking sumptuous Caribbean food. This gives the characters the opportunity to explore their personal relationships and flawed personalities.
Yet for all the complexity, A Cupboard Full Of Coats doesn't always hit the right note. The non-linear narrative can be an encumbrance - it can make reading slow and requires great concentration. There is sometimes a feeling that this is done as a trick to make a straightforward story seem more profound. And the narrative is also not always gripping. On more than one occasion, I found myself skipping back pages that I realized I had read but not digested.
Yet the lasting memory is of a novel where the whole does add up to more than its parts. There is a good study of guilt and isolation. There is a real sense of being the outsider - both in society and within a family. Domestic abuse is done well, with the focus more on the psychological than the physical - the need for control and keeping face.
And most of all, there's a sense of Hackney as a place where real people live, not cartoon kids acting out the latest edition of News At Ten.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
A cupboard full of coats is an intense, thought provoking story of jealousy, domestic violence and guilt.
Set in London's East End, the story is told by Jinxy, a thirty year old mother who is unable to relate to her five year old son. It is told in two time strands - the present time over a few days, plus flashbacks to the time leading up to Jinxy's mother's death fourteen years ago.
Guilt has dogged her as she feels that her own jealousy made her partly responsible for her mother's violent death at the hands of a jealous partner. When the ex-partner is released from prison, his old friend Lemon visits Jinxy to admit his own guilt for his part in her mother's death. Over a few days, Lemon takes on the role of apologist wanting to be absolved from blame. However the relationship between Jinxy and Lemon is a complex one and eventually Lemon acts as fairy godmother before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
The dark secrets at the heart of the story are leavened by sensuous descriptions of the luxury "guilt" coats in her mother's cupboard and sumptuous details of West Indian meals.
Dark and complex jealousies contrasted with beauty, devotion and passion make this a fascinating story with depths that appeal on many levels. The two timescales can be irritating as it interrupts the intensity, but it does work as a device for creating tension while unravelling secrets from the past.
I hadn't realised when I read the book that it had been nominated for the Booker prize. It's definitely a very worthwhile read - Yvette Roberts has created an impressive debut novel.
Set in London's East End, the story is told by Jinxy, a thirty year old mother who is unable to relate to her five year old son. It is told in two time strands - the present time over a few days, plus flashbacks to the time leading up to Jinxy's mother's death fourteen years ago.
Guilt has dogged her as she feels that her own jealousy made her partly responsible for her mother's violent death at the hands of a jealous partner. When the ex-partner is released from prison, his old friend Lemon visits Jinxy to admit his own guilt for his part in her mother's death. Over a few days, Lemon takes on the role of apologist wanting to be absolved from blame. However the relationship between Jinxy and Lemon is a complex one and eventually Lemon acts as fairy godmother before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
The dark secrets at the heart of the story are leavened by sensuous descriptions of the luxury "guilt" coats in her mother's cupboard and sumptuous details of West Indian meals.
Dark and complex jealousies contrasted with beauty, devotion and passion make this a fascinating story with depths that appeal on many levels. The two timescales can be irritating as it interrupts the intensity, but it does work as a device for creating tension while unravelling secrets from the past.
I hadn't realised when I read the book that it had been nominated for the Booker prize. It's definitely a very worthwhile read - Yvette Roberts has created an impressive debut novel.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love it, a great story, well told and well written. The author tells a complex story without the need for sensationalism's. While it covers a wide range of themes, the story draws you along and leaves you like a good meal wanting more, and filled with the need to share the experience an explore the ingredients further. After reading this book I looked in my mothers wardrobe and wonder, what stories her clothes/coats that go back to the 60's could tell.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Superb first novel
Happened upon Yvvette Edwards' by chance and glad I did. She handles a tricky subject beautifully and writes a good tale. I look forward to her next book.
Published 22 days ago by maggie
Evokes stong emotions; different & engaging
I found this to be a very readable book and was engaged from the start. I found the author to be extremely talented at painting a picture in your mind of a character, and evoking... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mumtolittledove
Recommended
I really did enjoy it. Although it's not a pleasant subject to read about the author deals with it very well and created quite interesting characters.
Published 1 month ago by Enjoyable
Fairly average but quite readable
Longlisted for this years Booker, A Cupboard Full Of Coats brings us another character haunted by the guilt of a small past action which turned out to have massive consequences. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. A. Davison
What a conversation can uncover....
Yvvette Edwards expertly explores what happens when we act based on our emotions. The protagonist Jinx is a thirty year old mother who has a difficult relationship with her son... Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Bannister
from a giver's point of view
I purchased this title as a stocking filler for my primary school teacher daughter. I searched for a suitable title by typing Booker prize into google- she loves it!!
Published 4 months ago by Jenny
excellent
This was the first book i read on my Christmas kindle and i couldn't have chosen a better read. The book is full of passion and heartache and i couldn't put it down. Read more
Published 5 months ago by piepot
Poignant and thought-provoking
Told through the eyes of Jinx, now a 30 year old mother who cannot seem to love her son or anyone else, least of all herself. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lisa-Scarlet
A believable mystery
A well told story of domestic violence, guilt, redemption and utlimately hope. If the author writes a cookbook, I'll buy it.
Published 6 months ago by P. A. Beech
Have I read the same book as other reviewers?
After reading the other reviews I am now wondering if I read the same book. The novel main protagonist is Jinx a woman who is haunted by her past, and who is forced to return to... Read more
Published 8 months ago by lovemurakami
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