2023 Jhalak Prize (nominee)
A hauntingly powerful and emotionally charged novel about family secrets, love and loss, identity and belonging.
Two children trapped in the same attic, almost a century apart, bound by a shared secret.
Early 1900s London: Taken from his homeland, twelve-year-old Celestine spends most of the time locked away in the attic of a large house by the sea. The only time Celestine isn’t bound by confines of the small space is when he is acting as an unpaid servant to English explorer Sir Richard Babbington, As the years pass, he desperately clings on to memories of his family in Africa, even as he struggles to remember his mother’s face, and sometimes his real name . . .
1974: Lowra, a young orphan girl born into wealth and privilege whose fortunes have now changed, finds herself trapped in the same attic. Searching for a ray of light in the darkness of the attic, Lowra finds under the floorboards an old-fashioned pen, a porcelain doll, a beaded necklace, and a message carved on the wall, written in an unidentifiable language. Providing comfort for her when all hope is lost, these clues will lead her to uncover the secrets of the attic.
Genre: Historical
Two children trapped in the same attic, almost a century apart, bound by a shared secret.
Early 1900s London: Taken from his homeland, twelve-year-old Celestine spends most of the time locked away in the attic of a large house by the sea. The only time Celestine isn’t bound by confines of the small space is when he is acting as an unpaid servant to English explorer Sir Richard Babbington, As the years pass, he desperately clings on to memories of his family in Africa, even as he struggles to remember his mother’s face, and sometimes his real name . . .
1974: Lowra, a young orphan girl born into wealth and privilege whose fortunes have now changed, finds herself trapped in the same attic. Searching for a ray of light in the darkness of the attic, Lowra finds under the floorboards an old-fashioned pen, a porcelain doll, a beaded necklace, and a message carved on the wall, written in an unidentifiable language. Providing comfort for her when all hope is lost, these clues will lead her to uncover the secrets of the attic.
Genre: Historical
Praise for this book
"Heart-breaking and timely - Lola Jaye's first epic historical novel is an emotional roller-coaster of a ride." - Trisha Ashley
"A powerful and timely book, compelling, heart-breaking yet hopeful and very, very special." - Alex Brown
"This is important storytelling about issues of race and privilege . . .that will stay with me for a long time." - Tracy Chevalier
"An evocative, emotional, beautifully written and captivating novel." - Rowan Coleman
"An incredibly important book . . . a beautifully crafted, compelling story . . . which will undoubtedly break your heart but also make it sing." - Mike Gayle
"A powerful and emotional journey, that will break your heart and put it back together again." - Lisa Jewell
"As educational as it was exceptional. I was nowhere near ready for it to end. It was heartbreakingly sad yet life affirming and full of hope. One of the most important books you'll read all year." - John Marrs
"Strong, memorable characters and an unputdownable story . . . Powerfully affecting." - Gill Paul
"An ambitious novel carried out to perfection. This epic tale had me utterly engrossed from first page to last. It's heart-breaking yet powerful and inspiring and so, so wonderful. Dikembe is a hero I will never forget." - Tracy Rees
"With The Attic Child, Lola Jaye has created something truly special. An epic, historical novel that is as informative and fascinating about a period in history as it is deeply moving. Above all, it's a beautiful testament to the strength of the human spirit. I've been telling everyone I know about it." - Katy Regan
"A powerful and timely book, compelling, heart-breaking yet hopeful and very, very special." - Alex Brown
"This is important storytelling about issues of race and privilege . . .that will stay with me for a long time." - Tracy Chevalier
"An evocative, emotional, beautifully written and captivating novel." - Rowan Coleman
"An incredibly important book . . . a beautifully crafted, compelling story . . . which will undoubtedly break your heart but also make it sing." - Mike Gayle
"A powerful and emotional journey, that will break your heart and put it back together again." - Lisa Jewell
"As educational as it was exceptional. I was nowhere near ready for it to end. It was heartbreakingly sad yet life affirming and full of hope. One of the most important books you'll read all year." - John Marrs
"Strong, memorable characters and an unputdownable story . . . Powerfully affecting." - Gill Paul
"An ambitious novel carried out to perfection. This epic tale had me utterly engrossed from first page to last. It's heart-breaking yet powerful and inspiring and so, so wonderful. Dikembe is a hero I will never forget." - Tracy Rees
"With The Attic Child, Lola Jaye has created something truly special. An epic, historical novel that is as informative and fascinating about a period in history as it is deeply moving. Above all, it's a beautiful testament to the strength of the human spirit. I've been telling everyone I know about it." - Katy Regan
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Used availability for Lola Jaye's The Attic Child