Gargoyles, landed on 8th April, 2021
The 8th April would have been my father’s birthday and I feel the hand of serendipity in the pandemic-delayed publication date of Gargoyles.
When the early copies arrived for signing,
I wasn’t prepared for how overwhelmed I’d be, to finally have the book in my hands after its seven year gestation.
Gargoyles in the park
It should really have been in a pram. I can't stop smelling the pages.
With volume.
The blurb …
Six weeks after her fortieth birthday, Harriet is struck by a rare and life-threatening illness. An emergency hospital visit turns into an arduous, lengthy stay. Attempts at sleep only bring visions of soul-sucking gargoyles, the lurking demons manifesting Harriet’s fear of death, her relationship with her late father, and her dream of having a family.
A stunning blend of memoir and insightful essays on literary and film culture, from Giovanni’s Room to Anthony Hopkins, Tess of the d’Urbervilles to Joaquin Phoenix’s ‘Joker’, Harriet seamlessly interweaves personal experience with insightful cultural commentary that questions how we live, and thrive, with pain.
Gargoyles explores the power of illness, grief, love, loss, and memory, asking us to celebrate what is in front of us and to not take our lives and health for granted. Sometimes, this means we have to learn to live with the gargoyles.
May 2021
Gargoyles featured on Florence Welch’s Instagram book club, Between Two Books 🧡♥️
‘ … Both haunting and empowering, it’s unlike any other book you’ve read.’
‘Gargoyles is deeply moving, providing a serious connection with readers.’
— Sylist
‘Experimental and daring, tender and compelling; Gargoyles is a story of illness, trauma and self-knowledge that has burnt itself into my mind forever. I urge you to read this beautifully written and startling book.'
– Rebecca Tamás
‘Gargoyles is a beautiful book about an awful experience; a very elegant, moving and timely study of illness and how it influences time, memory and reality.'
– Sara Baume