‘So deliciously South London.’ – Yomi Adegoke, author of SLAY IN YOUR LANE
‘A sweeping, rich tale that explores family, secrets, loss, love and redemption within the context of a tessellation of cultures – written with a beautiful texture, Benson pulls you in to a deftly-woven story with tautly-written sentences, and before you know it you find yourself in too deep to get out, too deep to want to get out, wanting to know more.’
– Bolu Babalola, author of LOVE IN COLOUR
‘Jendella Benson has drawn such a compelling world that Hope and Glory, the book and the characters themselves, stayed with me long after I’d turned the final pages.’ – Candice Carty-Williams, author of QUEENIE
Glory arrives back in Peckham, from her seemingly-glamorous life in LA, to mourn the sudden death of her father, and finds her previously-close family has fallen apart in her absence. Her brother, Victor, has been jailed; her sister, Faith, appears to have lost her independence and ambition; and their mother, Celeste, is headed towards a breakdown. Glory is thrown by their disarray, and rather than returning to America she decides to stay and try to bring them all together again. However, when she unearths a huge family secret, Glory risks losing everyone she truly cares about in her pursuit of the truth.
HOPE AND GLORY is a rich, heart-warming story of loss, love and family chaos, and marks an exciting new voice in fiction.
‘A sweeping, rich tale that explores family, secrets, loss, love and redemption within the context of a tessellation of cultures – written with a beautiful texture, Benson pulls you in to a deftly-woven story with tautly-written sentences, and before you know it you find yourself in too deep to get out, too deep to want to get out, wanting to know more.’
– Bolu Babalola, author of LOVE IN COLOUR
‘Jendella Benson has drawn such a compelling world that Hope and Glory, the book and the characters themselves, stayed with me long after I’d turned the final pages.’ – Candice Carty-Williams, author of QUEENIE
Glory arrives back in Peckham, from her seemingly-glamorous life in LA, to mourn the sudden death of her father, and finds her previously-close family has fallen apart in her absence. Her brother, Victor, has been jailed; her sister, Faith, appears to have lost her independence and ambition; and their mother, Celeste, is headed towards a breakdown. Glory is thrown by their disarray, and rather than returning to America she decides to stay and try to bring them all together again. However, when she unearths a huge family secret, Glory risks losing everyone she truly cares about in her pursuit of the truth.
HOPE AND GLORY is a rich, heart-warming story of loss, love and family chaos, and marks an exciting new voice in fiction.
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Reviews
Once I started reading, I couldn't stop! Jendella's writing is spellbinding, so beautiful. I felt every emotion on the page.
Benson's debut is a masterful look at how your history isn't always the one you've been told.
Hope & Glory is a wonderful book. The novel explores grief, love, friendship, dreams lost, life interrupted. All the characters are flawed, loveable, maddening and so honest you feel like you know them; the plot is compelling and touching at the same time. Jendella Benson has created a story that is intricate, beautiful and so very real. I held my breath, gasped out loud and devoured every gorgeous page. Just brilliant.
A sweeping, rich tale that explores family, secrets, loss, love and redemption within the context of a tessellation of cultures - written with a beautiful texture, Benson pulls you in to a deftly-woven story with tautly-written sentences, and before you know it you find yourself in too deep to get out, too deep to want to get out, wanting to know more.
Clear some space on your bookshelf... One of 2022's most raved-about debuts.
Jendella Benson has drawn such a compelling world that Hope and Glory, the book and the characters themselves, stayed with me long after I'd turned the final pages.
An elegantly-written, heartwarming story filled with hope. Each character, family secret, and vulnerability is treated with such grace and care due to Jendella's fresh and tender writing. Can't wait to read what she shares with the world next.
A dazzling debut. Jendella Benson is one to watch.
A family drama exploring grief, love, friendship and redemption... Benson builds characters who embody the complexity and contradictory nature of the human condition.
Engrossing, emotional and super relatable, especially to those from a West African background.
A compelling and compassionate book that's at once heartbreaking and hopeful. Jendella Benson paints a family portrait that's tender and messy and true.
Stirring, startling, life-affirming. A wonderful read.
Authentic and as heart warming as it is heart wrenching, Hope & Glory is a glorious ode to family life, love and loss. Jendella's writing is effortless, the characters leap off of the page and my favourite thing amongst so many? It's so deliciously South London.