‘Who am I? Why am I here? Why did my mother give me away?’
On the surface, Luke and his girlfriend Hannah seem to have a perfect life. He’s an A&R man, she’s an arts correspondent and they are devoted to their new-born son Samuel.
But beneath the gloss Luke has always felt like an outsider. So when he finds his birth mother Alice, the instant connection with her is a little like falling in love.
When Hannah goes back to work, Luke asks Alice to look after their son. But Alice – fuelled with grief from when her baby was taken from her 27 years ago – starts to fall in love with Samuel. And Luke won’t settle for his mother pushing him aside once again…
On the surface, Luke and his girlfriend Hannah seem to have a perfect life. He’s an A&R man, she’s an arts correspondent and they are devoted to their new-born son Samuel.
But beneath the gloss Luke has always felt like an outsider. So when he finds his birth mother Alice, the instant connection with her is a little like falling in love.
When Hannah goes back to work, Luke asks Alice to look after their son. But Alice – fuelled with grief from when her baby was taken from her 27 years ago – starts to fall in love with Samuel. And Luke won’t settle for his mother pushing him aside once again…
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Reviews
Him is dark, gripping, original and totally heartbreaking. Clare Empson writes like a dream: taut and sophisticated, not a word wasted. I loved this book.
Dark, addictive and ultimately heartbreaking.
Gripping and kept me guessing - and so emotionally true.
It's beautifully written, but also so full of heart and emotion. It's right in that sweet spot of having the grip of a thriller but the emotional depth of a tragic love story. A heart-wrenching novel about families and love that will stay with me for a very long time.
Clare Empson creates the most glamorous worlds. Even in the sympathetic exploration of despair and depression, her worlds are appealing and sophisticated. I read this in one sitting.
It's heartbreakingly brilliant, definitely one of my favourite books so far this year.
Oh I loved this! Clare Empson is now one of my favourite storytellers. Loved her debut so much, and this is just as good!
I lost sleep over this. A beautifully told story about the raw pain and ecstasy of motherhood. I loved it.
A sensuous, raw, intense and captivating bittersweet story, written in gorgeous prose. My perfect read!
I adored this powerful, emotive and sensitively written story about love and loss.
Haunting and heart-rending, MINE is a beautifully told story that stays with you long after the final page.
Addictive and soulful, Clare Empson writes about love so well
I was utterly glued to this book and not a day has gone by since when I haven't thought about it. Stunning. Can't recommend it enough.
An intriguing, meticulously researched novel, MINE gets right to the heart of the mother-child relationship and the impact of adoption.
An excellent, unsettling read