Nina de la Mer crafts contemporary literary fiction with a distinctive voice. Her narratives delve into the complexities of the human condition, often infused with dark humor and featuring unforgettable characters. De la Mer is celebrated for her sharp insights into modern life and her ability to capture its intricate realities. Her writing is incisive, engaging, and undeniably provocative.
In this bold novel, Layla, a reluctant lap dancer, navigates modern urban culture influenced by celebrity, alcohol, drugs, and pornography. The story follows a determined young mother striving to earn enough money to reclaim her baby son.
Set in the early 1990s on a British army base, 4 a.m. tells the story of Cal and Manny, army chefs posted to Germany. Bored and institutionalised, the pair soon succumb to the temptations of Hamburg's red-light district. But it is only a matter of time before hedonism and military discipline clash head on, with comic and poignant consequences.