For several months Marnie, a middle-aged poet and mother, has experienced sightings of her long-dead identical twin sister, Perdita, across London. As a consequence, and due to her crippling writer's block, she has sought the help of octogenarian Harley Street shrink, Schlap, to work through her problems. Not least her repeated dreams of being a man.

Schlap has problems of his own though, having recently suffered a silent stroke which has affected his memory. Or is he more aware of reality than Marnie herself?

Marnie's long-suffering partner and their three teenage kids are not helping matters, either. Neither is Marnie's bohemian Alpha-course attending mum, her diabetic chef dad, nor the inquisitive family dog. Perhaps Marnie's encounter and blossoming friendship with a woman who she thinks is the living embodiment of long-dead author Katherine Mansfield will provide the key to unlock her mind.Will Marnie's writing be liberated from its prison? Is she losing her mind? Will the price she has to pay be bigger than the sum of its parts? And does the previous sentence even make sense? All will be revealed...


A really entertaining, funny, heartfelt read. I loved every bonkers minute - Sophie Ward

It is magical, nostalgic, current, imaginative, tragic and very funny. I devoured it in two sittings. I saw nothing coming and was surprised and thrilled by the outcome - Maureen Lipman

About the Author

Susannah Wise is an actor and writer who grew up in London and the Midlands. A childhood spent outdoors inspired her love of nature and tree climbing. The death of her father in 2015 was the catalyst for THIS FRAGILE EARTH. His preoccupation with astronomy and the beauty of the night sky formed the jumping-off point for the story. Susannah studied at the Faber Academy, graduating in September 2018, during which time she wrote a second, more peculiar novel. Both books have been longlisted for the Mslexia prize.
She lives in London with her partner and son.

Reviews
The quirky gem ... Witty and weird with shades of Where'd You Go Bernadette * GRAZIA Summer Reads *
A brilliant, touching read ... wildly funny * Woman's Own *
A runaway train of a novel, taking the reader on a grand tragi-comic ride * Rose Tremain *
Absolutely raced through it. Funny, emotional, sad, and so, so honest. It's about love, family, grief, longing, and the crazy turmoil of living with all of them. Highly recommended * Bethany Clift, author of Last One at the Party *



Book Information
ISBN 9781473232396
Author Susannah Wise
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Gollancz
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 280g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 130mm * 28mm