Shortlisted for the Peters Book of the Year.

A shocking story of rebellion and revelation set in a contemporary Nazi England.

Jessika Keller is a good girl: she obeys her father, does her best to impress Herr Fisher at the Bund Deutscher Madel meetings and is set to be a world champion ice skater. Her neighbour Clementine is not so submissive. Outspoken and radical, Clem is delectably dangerous and rebellious. And the regime has noticed. Jess cannot keep both her perfect life and her dearest friend. But which can she live without?

THE BIG LIE is a thought-provoking and beautifully told story that explores ideas of loyalty, sexuality and protest.

A shocking story of rebellion and revelation set in a contemporary Nazi England

About the Author

Julie Mayhew is the author of Red Ink (shortlisted for the 2014 Branford Boase Award), The Big Lie (winner of the 2016 Sidewise Award for Alternate History) and the critically acclaimed Mother Tongue. She also writes for the stage and for film, and has been twice nominated for Best Original Drama at the BBC Audio Drama Awards for her radio plays -including a 2016 recognition for the The Electrical Venus, the drama on which this book is based. Julie grew up in Peterborough and originally trained as a journalist, then as an actress, before turning to writing because she couldn't find enough brilliant roles for girls.
www.juliemayhew.co.uk
Twitter: @juliemayhew
Instagram: JulieMayhew

Reviews
A genius idea, executed flawlessly. * Red *
This high concept novel is intriguing, engrossing, and frighteningly plausible. I think we're going to see The Big Lie shortlisted for a great number of awards next year. * Louise O'Neill, author of ONLY EVER YOURS *
Brilliantly realised . . . this unputdownable book is also a powerful and moving exploration of friendship, family, sexuality and what it really means to be "good" * Irish Times *
The Big Lie is a chilling, beautifully written, minutely observed 'what if' novel that messes with your head and stays with you long, long after you've turned the final page. * Sarra Manning *
A very special book * James Dawson, author of THIS BOOK IS GAY *
Brave, beautiful and devastating...Like all the best speculative fiction it echoes not only the past but what is happening NOW. Amazing. * Rae Earl, author of MY MAD FAT DIARY *
One book that everybody will be talking about... a thought-provoking and chilling coming-of-age novel exploring loyalty, love and morals. * The Bookseller (Children's Previews) *
Devastating, thought-provoking alternate history -- Claire Allfree * Metro *
The Big Lie is a powerful, uncompromising, uncomfortable, thought provoking, challenging and chilling read [...] frighteningly realistic -- Tanja Jennings * School Library Association *
A powerful coming-of-age story, The Big Lie deftly takes on the big guns of dystopia, including sexism, feminism, sexuality, loyalty, propaganda, freedom and protest. Make sure you get a copy on your bookshelf, stat. * Stylist Online *
Mayhew manages two feats, both crucial: she creates a believable modern-day Nazi society built on rules, silence, and surveillance, and a compelling depiction of a girl caught between what she has always been taught and what she is coming to suspect is true. As Jessika discovers, the truth is both dangerous and liberating * Publishers Weekly *
Readers who know their World War II history and enjoy extremely unreliable narrators will find great satisfaction in puzzling out the truth behind the horrors Jess leaves unspoken * Kirkus *
Beyond its alternate history premise, the book deftly examines the ways in which gender roles and sexuality play out under a society that strictly delineates them. There are surprises for both Jess and the reader in the ending, making this a timely piece for teens to consider what pacifism and/or protest looks like and the costs each entail * Bulletin For The Center of Children's Books *
This is a story that paints the dangers of totalitarianism in vivid language * The Conversation *



Book Information
ISBN 9781471404702
Author Julie Mayhew
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint Hot Key Books
Publisher Hot Key Books
Weight(grams) 296g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 24mm * 129mm