Vanessa Gebbie Book order

'My name is Laddy Merridew. I'm a cry-baby. I'm sorry.' 'And my name is Ianto Jenkins. I am a coward. And that's worse.' The boy Laddy Merridew, sent to live with his grandmother, stumbles off the bus into a small Welsh mining community, where he begins an unlikely friendship with Ianto Passchendaele Jenkins, the town beggar-storyteller. Ianto is watchman over the legacy of the collapse many years ago of Kindly Light Pit, a disaster whose echoes reverberate down the generations of the town. Through Ianto's stories Laddy is drawn into both the town's history and the conundrums of the present

Exploring the aftermath of human conflict, the stories delve into characters facing immense challenges, often pushing them to their limits. Gebbie fearlessly examines the lingering effects of atrocities, as well as the underlying factors that can lead to such events. Each narrative reveals the profound emotional and psychological impacts of violence, making for a compelling and thought-provoking collection.

Exploring the complexities of human nature, this collection features Vanessa Gebbie's award-winning stories that blend compassion with a light narrative touch. The themes revolve around resilience and the transformative power of those often seen as powerless. Gebbie tackles difficult subjects, crafting an emotional landscape that balances distress with moments of unexpected humor and optimism. Each story reveals the strength found in vulnerability, ultimately celebrating the human spirit's capacity for change and connection.