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A sublime psychological thriller from Polari Prize-shortlisted Charles Lambert.
Sixteen-year-old Fiona inhabits a privileged world of English affluence, though her relationship with her widowed mother is strained. When she discovers an old newspaper clipping of a woman and her daughter - the little girl a mirror image of her own younger self - she becomes convinced she has a true family elsewhere. Four years later, with the help of charming fraudster Patrick, Fiona drops everything to seek out her doppelgänger in Italy.
Fiona arrives in Rome to find Maddy living hand to mouth with her alcoholic mother. Spooked by the appearance of this strange girl wearing her face and stalking her every move, Maddy wants nothing to do with her. Caught in a surreal push-and-pull, the two are both fascinated and repulsed by the oddly familiar other, each coveting a different life. But they aren't the only ones trying to control their fate, and the two women will soon learn that people aren't always what they seem - though blood may still prove thicker than water.
Birthright is a dark, gripping literary thriller for fans of Ian McEwan, Rupert Thomson and Edward St Aubyn
About the author
Charles Lambert is the author of several novels, short stories, and the memoir With a Zero at its Heart, which was voted one of The Guardian readers’ Ten Best Books of the Year in 2014.
In 2007, he won an O. Henry Award for his short story The Scent of Cinnamon. His first novel, Little Monsters, was longlisted for the 2010 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. His novel Prodigal was shortlisted for the Polari Prize for LGBTQ writing in 2019. Born in England, Charles Lambert has lived in central Italy since 1980.
Summary
A dark and gripping psychological thriller, written with the glittering prose of Edward St Aubyn, Graham Greene or Ian McEwan.
Additional text
Praise for Charles Lambert
‘A writer who never ceases to surprise’ Jenny Offill, author of Weather
‘Charles Lambert could one day attain classic status’ Maggie Gee
‘Charles Lambert is a seriously good writer' Dame Beryl Bainbridge
‘Compelling reading’ Patricia Duncker
‘Charles Lambert's stories are luminous miniatures, deceptively easy to read and yet every word, every detail offers a window to a much bigger world' Sarah Salway
‘Rare, truthful writing.’ Anne Cleeves, OBE
‘Charles Lambert writes as if his life depends on it.’ Hannah Tinti, author of The Good Thief
‘A writer full of wit and poignance.’ Kirkus Reviews
Report
'A twisty and insightful psychological thriller - a double helix of families, money, relationship, mothers and identical twins. Masterly sleight of hand in the storytelling.' Isabelle Grey, author of the DI Grace Fisher series
Praise for Charles Lambert
'A writer who never ceases to surprise' Jenny Offill, author of Weather
'Charles Lambert could one day attain classic status' Maggie Gee
'Charles Lambert is a seriously good writer' Dame Beryl Bainbridge
'Compelling reading' Patricia Duncker
'Charles Lambert's stories are luminous miniatures, deceptively easy to read and yet every word, every detail offers a window to a much bigger world' Sarah Salway
'Rare, truthful writing.' Ann Cleeves, OBE
'Charles Lambert writes as if his life depends on it.' Hannah Tinti, author of The Good Thief
'A writer full of wit and poignance.' Kirkus Reviews
