Booker Prize winner 2018 and I can see why as its depiction of the troubles in Northern Ireland is highly original. The eighteen-year-old narrator, known only as middle sister, treads a difficult line in a community that has become distorted due to the ever-present threat of violence. Her mother constantly pressures her to get married and because of this she keeps maybe-boyfriend a secret, but as soon as the senior paramilitary figure Milkman shows an interest in her rumours are everywhere. The level of tension in the book makes it an uncomfortable read (and sometimes the detours in the story and no one having a name get a bit annoying), but other times this is laugh out loud funny such as when the police run out of interview rooms due to the sheer number of middle aged women interested in the real milkman. Worth reading.

Sent to Lamilla as my RABCK for February.

With me