Out of Touch: The heartbreaking and hopeful must read
A powerful tale of betrayal and abandonment from a stunning new voice. When a brother and sister receive a letter from the father they haven't seen in twenty years, they must confront long-buried tensions in ways that will change them for ever.
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A man hit Ava with his car, a few miles from her bungalow. He brings her flowers in hospital, and offers to do her laundry. He also brings her the letter she dropped that night on the road.
In New York, Ava's brother Michael receives the same letter. He thinks about it as he steps out of the shower into his curtainless bedroom. A naked woman stares at him from the apartment across. They both laugh and cover up with their arms. Brother and sister cannot avoid the letter: their estranged father is dying and wants to meet. Can they forgive their father, and face each other after all these years apart? Will new unexpected friends offer the advice and comfort they need? With sharp wit and sensitivity, Out of Touch is a deeply absorbing story about love and vulnerability, sex and power, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Publisher: Orion Publishing Co |
PRAISE FOR OUT OF TOUCH
‘Out of Touch is a careful examination of sibling relations, the rips in family life, and the choices that must be made after a person finds themselves to be an adult. Raw and hopeful, this book is about what pulls us apart and what keeps us together--Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of STARLING DAYS
One of those books that had me ignoring my phone, family and sensible bedtimes. Immersive, gorgeously rich and beautifully written. I loved it -- Lia Louis, author of SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO HAPPY
I love the way Haleh Agar writes about family and cities and parenthood and sex. Ava and Michael felt completely honest to me, finally a story about siblings I believed! Their fractured relationship really touched me and I think lots of people will relate to it -- Luan Goldie, author of NIGHTINGALE POINT
Out of Touch is a deftly intimate, touching story with crisp prose. In this engaging debut, Agar introduces complex characters and their often painful and always moving pursuit for closure, family, belonging, love, and a place to call home. -- Yvonne Battle-Felton, author of REMEMBERED
‘I devoured this brilliant book – it’s so wise and astute on families, relationships and the strange ties that bind us. I loved it!'-- Rachael Lucas, author of THE TELEPHONE BOX LIBRARY
'Brilliant. Agar delivers this potent, intricate tale with scalpel-like precision and tenderness' Irenosen Okojie, author of NUDIBRANCH
'This thoughtful debut tackles both emotional and physical vulnerability... combining down-to-earth realism with compassion and hope.'-- Daily Mail
Out of Touch is a riveting and captivating new novel about the complexities of sibling relations. -- Grazia Magazine
In this story of love, vulnerability and power, Agar shows just how complex family relationships are, but also what it takes to forgive. Heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measures.-- Women's Weekly.
'A must have, moving debut.'-- Sunday Express
'I thoroughly enjoyed this great debut about an estranged family, and found the fractured relationships fascinating. -- Nina Pottell * Prima Magazine
A powerful, elegant & impressive debut novel starring two estranged siblings. -- Lancashire Post
*An Asian Writer Pick for Books to Read in 2020*