The brilliant second novel by a new US literary star.

Caroline, 27, walks out of a marriage and into an old peoples home where she meets cantankerous, lusty octogenarian Billy, who entrusts a secret to her. She goes from his deathbed to a wedding, where she is seduced by a beautiful man who tells her stories of her exs antics back home. Bright, buoyant Bonnie, meanwhile, installs herself as Carolines new best friend and accompanies her to a picnic that turns into a riot. When it is over, the worlds altered: for Caroline is no longer herself she must flee being Caroline. We follow her long flight through trauma, fakery and captivity to redemption.

Jim Lewiss tale of how to measure love and its loss is a swooningly observant and atmospheric tale of rare resonance. Lewis writes about sex, ageing, identity and bereavement with such newness and rightness that his reader is struck dumb.