British humorist Dawn French’s second novel arrives on November 27. Oh Dear Silvia retains all the humour one would expect from Dawn French, although its setting doesn’t make that apparent at first glance.
The entire book takes place in Coma Suite 5, wherein lies Silvia – her story is told through the various visitors and hospital staff who visit her, and double as narrators. Despite this setting, this is a novel that manages to be simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, a charming tale with characters that seem like real people – something not all comic novels can achieve.
But why listen to me? Without further ado, Dawn French sets up her novel herself:
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Hello! Dawn Roma Rice Pudding French here, writer of the No.1 bestseller – A Tiny Bit Marvellous. Number one because YOU bought it, so thank you very much indeed for that.
It meant an awful lot to me to be accepted, at last, as an author, after my previous long career as a laptop dancer. I used to dance… on laptops…
Your support gave me the confidence to write my latest novel; here’s the title, are you ready for it… Oh Dear Silvia - yep, that’s what it’s called.
This is a very different type of book. A woman has come off a balcony and, initially, we’re not entirely sure how. But, now, she’s in a coma. This is my main character, Silvia Shute, a woman who has lived a pretty selfish life and always done exactly what she wanted. Until now.
Silvia has been harbouring a HUGE, terrible secret.
On top of which, there are a couple of certifiably bonkers people in her life who will stop at nothing to wake her up. So she’s at the mercy of the mad, the bad and the beloveds in her life. And the truth is about to pay Silvia a visit again, and again, and again…
This is a book about forgiveness, love and the loss of it and, of course, stick insects!
So buy it please, or look like a fool!
Love,
Dawn
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Thanks to our friends at Penguin Canada for facilitating and sharing this guest post.