By Clare Furniss (author)
"A furious book about an-all-too-possible future Britain, that demands to be read."
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April 2024 Book of the Month
London teenager Clem enjoys her 15th birthday surrounded by friends, family, and glorious sunshine – a perfect day. The world is changing though, and soon everyone and everything she knows, and loves, will be in danger.
Set in a not-so-distant future, England is ruled by a racist far-right authoritarian government, as civil unrest grows Clem must flee London with her younger sister, Billie. Safety lies in newly independent Scotland, but to get there the sisters must face unknown danger, suspicious bigots, and a terrifying small boat.
This was a gut-wrenching read; the concept was so believable and the writing so powerful that I felt sick on more than one occasion whilst reading it, but I couldn’t put it down. Whilst it might technically be described as a dystopia, really it is a modern horror story that could occur tomorrow.
Putting a white, British teenager firmly at the centre of a modern refugee crisis, Furniss skilfully blends in events and ideologies of contemporary Britain. Making the reader question themselves and the world we live in.
The story is told through a mix of flashbacks, therapy sessions and fairy tales. Our main character Clem is a gloriously unreliable narrator and keeps the reader guessing until the end. A gentle romance creates further tension, but never detracts from the main story. The cast of secondary characters all leap from the page, they are all perfectly drawn and contain a sense that they too have a story to tell.
Bleak and scary The Things We Leave Behind reveals the worst that humanity does to each other, but is also full of love, hope and the best of humanity. A moving and thought-provoking must read.
How I Live Now meets Exodus – a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss.
Read the full description
In the near future, in a world that could be, but is not quite, ours, fifteen-year-old Clem is happy. Celebrating her birthday surrounded by friends, family and a warm summer evening, there’s nothing that could ruin this day. But by morning, everything has changed . . .
After years of a growing totalitarian regime, civil unrest in London has reached an all-time high, and it’s no longer safe to stay in the city. Fleeing with nothing but her half-sister Billie, a notebook filled with stories and memories of home, Clem must make the treacherous journey to Edinburgh, first by road and then by boat. What waits for the sisters on the other side – the start of a new life, or a mirror held up to the past?
‘A frighteningly remarkable, relevant and moving novel, told gently and with impeccable style. Clare Furniss is one of the very best writers for young people and this new novel is her finest yet. I loved it.’ – Sarah Crossan, author of One
'Gripping and heart-wrenching, the story has a tragic denouement that is almost too painful to read, but Furniss’ exquisite writing carries the reader through.' – The Bookseller
Praise for Clare Furniss:
‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’ Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses
‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series
‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ Sunday Times
‘A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ Daily Mail
‘Beautifully written’ Stylist
Clare Furniss studied at Cambridge University and worked for several years in political media relations. She now lives in Bath and is completing an MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University.
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How I Live Now meets Exodus – a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss. In the near future, in a world that could be, but is not quite, ours, fifteen-year-old Clem is happy. Celebrating her birthday surrounded by friends, family and a warm summer evening, there’s nothing that could ruin this day.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Things We Leave Behind and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
The Things We Leave Behind features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 13+ readers, Star Books, Thrillers, Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for Young Adults
Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Things We Leave Behind was written by Clare Furniss and published by Simon & Schuster Childrens Books an imprint of Simon & Schuster Ltd
The Things We Leave Behind has 305 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.
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