Jane Borodale's literary practice is deeply informed by her background in site-specific sculpture, exploring the intersection of art, history, and place. Her novels delve into forgotten narratives and the material world, uncovering the intricate connections between past and present through meticulous and evocative prose. She is drawn to examining how objects and locations carry echoes of history, shaping our contemporary understanding. Borodale's work invites readers to consider the tangible traces left behind and their profound impact on human experience.
It is 1752, and Agnes Trussel is assistant to one John Blacklock, maker of fireworks. Quick-tempered, secretive and handsome, Blacklock, a widower, has taken the 17 year-old country girl into his household on her arrival in the city. However, she is without plans or friends, and burdened with dangerous secrets.