-
2008 shortlist
watch a trailer for The Outcast
(link opens in a new window)read Lauren Laverne's review
of The Outcastother reviews
(links open in new windows) -
The Outcast
1957 and Lewis Aldridge is traveling back to his home in the South of England. He is straight out of jail and nineteen years old. His return will trigger the implosion not just of his family, but of a whole community.
A decade earlier, his father’s homecoming takes a different shape. The war is over and Gilbert has recently been demobbed. He reverts easily to suburban life – cocktails at six-thirty, church on Sundays – but his wife and young on resist the stuffy routine. Lewis and his mother escape to the woods for picnics, just as they did in the wartime days. Nobody is surprised that Gilbert’s wife counters convention, but they are all shocked when, after one of their jaunts, Lewis comes back without her.
Not far away, Kit Carmichael keeps watch. She has always understood more than most, not least from what she has been dealt by her own father’s hand. Lewis’s grief and private rage are all too plain, and Kit makes a private vow to help. But in her attempts to set them both free, she fails to predict the painful and horrifying secrets that must first be forced into the open.
___
Sadie Jones reads from The OutcastSadie Jones
lives in London. The Outcast is her first novel.
Sadie Jones's q & a
What sparked The Outcast?
I wanted to write an iconic story about a person who is reviled for real or imagined sins, by a society that is itself corrupt. I wanted to explore the ambivalence that we have about damaged people who both repel and attract us.
Where and when is the novel set?
The novel is set in Surrey, between 1945 and 1957. There didn’t seem any better backdrop for feelings of isolation and an inability to conform.
Do you have a favourite character in the novel?
My favourite character is Lewis, the protagonist; he’s more real to me than quite a lot of actual people.
What's your favourite children's book and why?
A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I think Victorian morality speaks very strongly to many children, but also Sara Crewe is not just your average 19th century goody-goody, she’s eccentric and has rage and extraordinary toughness.
your comments
Please log in or register below to submit your comments.
fap turbo swiss
Jul 2nd, 2009 at 01:56:13 hrs
The book catch my attention, I want to know what happened to his mother after they went to the forest. The story is very interesting. fap turbo swiss robot
kelly black
Jul 4th, 2009 at 10:32:43 hrs
Excellent Article, I appreciate on fantastic job, she astounds with her picture of 1950s England, a Surrey where emotions roil beneath a peaceful bucolic surface. Great post again. It is not surprising for many students to look for dissertation help online. Actually, many websites are now providing assistance for students who are now having a hard time initializing the process of writing a dissertation paper. Dissertation writing help | Custom dissertation
balian
Jun 13th, 2009 at 15:44:24 hrs
amazing book actually, I've enjoying reading it. Travel guides-finance blog-health blog
balian
Jun 13th, 2009 at 15:59:04 hrs
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the similarities in the plot of this novel to "Atonement" by Ian McEwan. Both concern wartime relationships between a struggling youth and the intense daughters of his parent's employer. In each case there is a sexy older sister and a naive younger sister who loves the young man but seems too young to get his notice.
emmetts
Jun 13th, 2009 at 16:11:16 hrs
This novel is wonderfully written, a perfect balance of understated English prose and gripping tension. She fleshes out her characters realistically and gives them plenty of compelling events to respond to, thus giving readers an engaging plot peopled by interesting, if flawed and troubling, figures. This is a beautiful, albeit dark, novel of a town, and its inhabitants, wrecked by war, uncertainty, personal violence, class distinctions and secrets.
ernie
Jun 13th, 2009 at 16:19:59 hrs
This book was chosen for my book club and I wasn't excited at first, but I found it to be a good read. The story kept my interest and I found myself wanting to find out what happens next. Forex megadroid review, forex trading made E-Z review
Mike1709
Jun 19th, 2009 at 12:45:12 hrs
The Outcast is a wonderful book to read. I finished this book a few weeks ago, thoroughly enjoyed it and have passed on to a friend to read. I can only summise that variety is the spice of life and makes the world go round. The plot of this story is excellent and there are many themes for the reader to explore on the journey through the book, some subtle and some more pronounced. Regards, Mike,Car lease|Denver Attorney|soap nuts
danielleblack
Jun 20th, 2009 at 11:02:20 hrs
Dissertation Examples Dissertation Topics
menexis
Jun 21st, 2009 at 16:53:34 hrs
How come no one has made mentioned of the similarities in the plot of this novel to "Atonement" by Ian McEwan. Even if you wanted to buy it using a credit card processing company the concern wartime relationships between a struggling youth and the intense daughters of his parent's employer. In each case there is a sexy older sister and a naive younger sister who loves the young man but seems too young to get his notice.
Nickie
Jun 23rd, 2009 at 03:46:11 hrs
looks like a very good and inspiring book to read. Is it out in the market? Well, I guess i need to scan the net for this book. Thanks, Nick, Baby Shower Favors
Micky
Jun 23rd, 2009 at 17:46:37 hrs
I have read many novels from this famous writer. I like her writing style very much. Though i could not collect the latest book of her but i would try to collect it. Thanks, Micky, wedding songs
xpanel
Jun 25th, 2009 at 03:18:42 hrs
I like this book so much, I even put it beside my bed. when i check system error, I read it.
jessica
Jun 25th, 2009 at 08:49:59 hrs
Great work, Qualitative results are and abstract of key findings of the dissertations writing,don’t forget to give reflective comments and further researches outline. Dissertation help Dissertation writing Research paper writing Term paper writing help
Nashville Limo
Jun 26th, 2009 at 19:48:12 hrs
Sadie Jones debut novel The Outcast haunts me still, days after finishing it. The novel delivers a story of love, loss, and redemption as a result of a series of situations that couldn't be helped and were no one's fault really-but irrevocably changed lives. Nashville Limo Service
Nashville Limo
Jun 26th, 2009 at 19:49:12 hrs
Sadie Jones debut novel The Outcast haunts me still, days after finishing it. The novel delivers a story of love, loss, and redemption as a result of a series of situations that couldn't be helped and were no one's fault really-but irrevocably changed lives. Nashville Limo Service
oh-yeah
Jun 6th, 2009 at 07:07:50 hrs
Great article. I found it while searching for help because my ipod screen white and how to unlock my 3G iphone. Instead, I found this article and a good review of the cheap webhosting
schmitt
May 22nd, 2009 at 06:34:47 hrs
This is a wonderfully written first novel. Its themes of war, alcoholism, emotional and physical isolation can be applied to today's world as well. No matter the time or place, the possibility of change and hope is always something to strive for. ( essay writing , Term Paper Writing and Dissertation Help )
schmitt
May 22nd, 2009 at 06:35:33 hrs
British writer Sadie Jones has given us an amazing debut novel, an achingly beautiful story of loss, love, and redemption. She astounds with her picture of 1950s England, a Surrey where emotions roil beneath a peaceful bucolic surface. With penetrating insight and scrupulously wrought studies she traces the characters as they develop. Her portrait of a young man who almost perishes in a painful search to define himself is especially moving. ( Buy Research Paper and Education Thesis )
Irene
Oct 11th, 2008 at 23:09:20 hrs
I am currently reading The chub Outkast and I am enjoying it. For me, it was a struggle to get in to, but once I had the first few chapters under my belt, it was easy. The only thing I am struggling with is the way the author dealt with the death of Lewis' mother - it didn't feel right. The emotion and sentiment that you go through when you lose someone that close was missing. Yes he withdraws into himself, but there was so much further the author could have taken it - I guess it must be hard if you haven't lost someone close to you.
Carol D
Oct 8th, 2008 at 21:54:18 hrs
This is by far the best book I have read in the past 12 months and I would strongly recommend it. The characters have a real depth to them and the social commentory on the times is very sharp.
charlotte
Sep 14th, 2008 at 14:07:03 hrs
this book is amazing, Sadie has captured the atmosphere of fifties society perfectly and the children are so real and believable.The adults have no concept of the childrens pain in those days psychology and feelings was an unknown.She conjures pictures so real and heartbreakingly painful.I have read it twice and as with first class novels i see/understand more each time.Please write another.