The Truth About Melody Browne [Paperback]

Lisa Jewell’s writing is like a big warm hug and this book is a touching, insightful and gripping story which I simply couldn’t put down. --Sophie Kinsella

Lisa’s best book yet. I loved it. --Jane Fallon

Lisa Jewell writes the tale so beautifully that the words just dance off the page and sweep you up in a literary waltz ... stunning. --Heat, 5 stars

The Truth about Melody Browne perfectly illustrates the truth about Lisa Jewell. She writes like a dream, creates characters that you really care about and tells a story so compelling that it will still be with you long after you’ve read the last page. --Mike Gayle

Classic storytelling --Elle

Full of heart and humour, this will move you to tears. An absolute must-read. --Cosmopolitan

What is revealed is a network of rewardingly complex characters, a dramatic, suspense-filled explanation of how [Melody] ended up where she did, and a family tragedy that is profoundly moving. --Telegraph

A refreshing departure from the usual girl-in-search-of-boy template…Jewell has a convincing eye for detail, and throws in a roller-coaster-worth of attention-grabbing twists and turns. --Guardian

Sincere and engaging with a great plot and believable characters. --Daily Mail

This will make you laugh, cry – then tell all your friends about it. --Daily Record

Moving and dark --The Times Summer Reading Selection

Easy and uplifting –-Grazia --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Lisa Jewell’s writing is like a big warm hug and this book is a touching, insightful and gripping story which I simply couldn’t put down. --Sophie Kinsella

Lisa’s best book yet. I loved it. --Jane Fallon

Lisa Jewell writes the tale so beautifully that the words just dance off the page and sweep you up in a literary waltz ... stunning. --Heat, 5 stars

The Truth about Melody Browne perfectly illustrates the truth about Lisa Jewell. She writes like a dream, creates characters that you really care about and tells a story so compelling that it will still be with you long after you’ve read the last page. --Mike Gayle

Classic storytelling --Elle

Full of heart and humour, this will move you to tears. An absolute must-read. --Cosmopolitan

What is revealed is a network of rewardingly complex characters, a dramatic, suspense-filled explanation of how [Melody] ended up where she did, and a family tragedy that is profoundly moving. --Telegraph

A refreshing departure from the usual girl-in-search-of-boy template…Jewell has a convincing eye for detail, and throws in a roller-coaster-worth of attention-grabbing twists and turns. --Guardian

Sincere and engaging with a great plot and believable characters. --Daily Mail

This will make you laugh, cry – then tell all your friends about it. --Daily Record

Moving and dark --The Times Summer Reading Selection

Easy and uplifting –-Grazia

The wonderful novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Ralph's Party.

When she was nine years old, Melody Browne's house burned down, taking every toy, every photograph, every item of clothing and old Christmas card with it. But not only did the fire destroy all her possessions, it took with it all her memories - Melody Browne can remember nothing before her ninth birthday.

Now in her early thirties, Melody lives in a council flat in the middle of London with her seventeen-year-old son. She hasn't seen her parents since she left home at fifteen, but Melody doesn't mind, she's better off on her own. She's made a good life for herself and her son and she likes it that way.

Until one night something extraordinary happens. Whilst attending a hypnotist show with her first date in years she faints - and when she comes round she starts to remember. At first her memories mean nothing to her but then slowly, day by day, she begins to piece together the real story of her childhood. Her journey takes her to the seaside town of Broadstairs, to oddly familiar houses in London backstreets and to meetings with strangers who love her like their own. But with every mystery she solves another one materialises, with every question she answers another appears. And Melody begins to wonder if she'll ever know the truth about her past...

When she was nine years old, Melody Browne’s house burned down, taking every toy, every photograph, every item of clothing and old Christmas card with it. But not only did the fire destroy all her possessions, it took with it all her memories – Melody Browne can remember nothing before her ninth birthday.
Now in her early thirties, Melody lives in a small flat in the middle of London with her seventeen-year-old son. She hasn’t seen her parents since she left home at fifteen, but Melody doesn’t mind, she’s better off on her own. She’s made a good life for herself and her son and she likes it that way.
Until one night something extraordinary happens. Whilst attending a hypnotist show with her first date in years she faints – and when she comes round she starts to remember. At first her memories mean nothing to her but then slowly, day by day, she begins to piece together the real story of her childhood. Her journey takes her to the seaside town of Broadstairs, to oddly familiar houses in London backstreets and to meetings with strangers who love her like their own. But with every mystery she solves another one materialises, with every question she answers another appears. And Melody begins to wonder if she’ll ever know the truth about her past…
Praise for Lisa Jewell
'This is one of those rare books with the variety, complexity and unexpectedness of real life...it gobbles you up whole.' Sunday Telegraph
'Warm, funny, realistic and immensely readable.' Cosmopolitan
'A sophisticated narrative...Jewell can't help but tell a compelling story packed with intriguing characters.' The Times

Lisa Jewell was born and raised in north London, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the bestselling debut of 1999. She is also the author of Thirtynothing, One-Hit Wonder, Vince & Joy, A Friend of the Family, 31 Dream Street, The Truth About Melody Browne and, most recently, After the Party, all of which have been Sunday Times bestsellers. To find out more more about the author visit her website at www.lisa-jewell.co.uk