Bella Pollen is a writer and journalist whose work spans a diverse range of subjects, from Cold War intrigue and the decline of the British aristocracy to immigration issues on the US/Mexican border. Her writing delves into the quest for the extraordinary within ordinary life, marked by wit and often painful honesty. Pollen's distinctive voice and keen observation skills allow her to explore complex human experiences across different societal strata and historical contexts.
Exploring themes of self-discovery and humor, this book invites readers on a journey of personal growth and unexpected revelations. It emphasizes the importance of embracing life's surprises and finding joy in the process. With a relatable narrative, it combines laughter and introspection, encouraging readers to take what they need, even if it diverges from their initial desires. This engaging story resonates with those seeking both adventure and deeper understanding of themselves.
A memoir for anyone who doesn't quite fit in - and for everyone who chooses not to . . .
Manageress of the Orange Cinema in Shepherd's Bush, Kit lives on the fringe of creative London. Demoralized by her boyfriend and her third screenplay rejection she withdraws into a world of dreams, until faced with the closure of the Orange.
To the south lies Mexico. To the north you can see the flat plains and snow tipped peaks of the Patagonia Mountains . . . and in between is a strange and wild landscape representing a freedom so great that for a long moment, I find it hard to breathe. On the run from her claustrophobic marriage in London, Alice Coleman moves her two small children to the Arizona desert with the intention of renovating an abandoned mining town on the Mexican Border - and there finds an escape and solitude she hadn't thought possible. But in the dusty, alien atmosphere, where it seems that everyone - from Benj min, the town's Mexican caretaker to the laconic cowboy, Duval - has something to hide, Alice is uncertain whom to trust. As winter moves to scorching summer, what seemed idyllic turns deadly as Alice is drawn deeper into an obsessive quest for revenge, until finally she must decide how far she is willing to go to cling on to her freedom and what exactly she will have to sacrifice. Fierce and compelling, Midnight Cactus explores the territory between unrealized dreams and the pull of family. In a blistering climax Alice discovers it is only by risking everything that you learn what is really worth living for.
From the bestselling author of Hunting Unicorns comes Bella Pollen's most compelling and moving story yet . . .
A witty, sophisticated romantic comedy which explores the universal themes of love, loyalty and family - chosen as a Richard & Judy Summer Read.
