Books
  • The Gone Book
  • Gone Book, The

    By Helena Close

    Quick Overview

    Gritty YA debut by Helena Close
    • €8.99
      Unit price per 

    Awards Received

    WINNER of the White Raven Award 2021

    SHORTLISTED for the Dept 51 @ Eason Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, Irish Book Awards 2020

    NOMINATED for the 2021 Carnegie Medal

     

    'Tuesday 30 June 2019

    I know you’ll hate me. I just know you will. But I can’t help it. I’m going to find you.'

    Nominated for the 2021 Carnegie Medal

    Matt’s mam left when he was ten. He writes letters to her but doesn’t send them. He keeps them in his Gone Book. Five years of letters about his life. Five years of hurt.

    Since Matt’s dad gave up the drink all he does is run and pray. His older brother is taking drugs and owes money to bad people. His friends Mikey and Anna are the best things in his life, but Matt keeps pushing them away.

    Matt just wants to skate, surf and forget. But now his mam is back in town with her new family and Matt knows he needs to find her, to finally deliver the truth.

    “Dark and gritty and desperately sad and wildly funny, this is as real as writing gets. I was locked inside of Matt’s head for the duration, and I lived his whole mad summer. Every line rings perfectly true.” Donal Ryan

    “A skillful and truthful novel from a wonderful storyteller.” Joseph O’Connor

    “Achingly sad but hugely funny. A gritty story full of heart.” – Sheena Wilkinson

    “Helena Close’s YA debut The Gone Book is sure to make a big splash. From the memorable first line right through to the dramatic conclusion, the story hurtles along at a rapid rate, riding the crest of a massive wave and finally throwing its reader on Lahinch’s shoreline with a thump…Close is an incredible storyteller.” –  Books Ireland Magazine

    “A remarkable narrative that throws the reader right into the story, this is a book that simply sings. Completely riveting  and relevant; filled with compassion and soul.” – Fallen Star Stories

    “I would highly recommend this book. It’s a chaotic read, full of twists and turns. It is gritty and realistic, and highlights the anguish of an absent parent and the strife of teenage friendships.” – Paper Lanterns

    “A heart-wrenching, hard punching, insightful narrative of life in modern Ireland.” –  Swear by the Books

    From Limerick City in the west of Ireland, Helena Close has been writing full-time for twenty years. She has written or co-written seven novels, published by Hodder Headline (under the pseudonym Sarah O’Brien), Hachette Ireland and Blackstaff Press.

    Photo of Helena Close

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    Description

    'Tuesday 30 June 2019

    I know you’ll hate me. I just know you will. But I can’t help it. I’m going to find you.'

    Nominated for the 2021 Carnegie Medal

    Matt’s mam left when he was ten. He writes letters to her but doesn’t send them. He keeps them in his Gone Book. Five years of letters about his life. Five years of hurt.

    Since Matt’s dad gave up the drink all he does is run and pray. His older brother is taking drugs and owes money to bad people. His friends Mikey and Anna are the best things in his life, but Matt keeps pushing them away.

    Matt just wants to skate, surf and forget. But now his mam is back in town with her new family and Matt knows he needs to find her, to finally deliver the truth.

    Praise

    “Dark and gritty and desperately sad and wildly funny, this is as real as writing gets. I was locked inside of Matt’s head for the duration, and I lived his whole mad summer. Every line rings perfectly true.” Donal Ryan

    “A skillful and truthful novel from a wonderful storyteller.” Joseph O’Connor

    “Achingly sad but hugely funny. A gritty story full of heart.” – Sheena Wilkinson

    “Helena Close’s YA debut The Gone Book is sure to make a big splash. From the memorable first line right through to the dramatic conclusion, the story hurtles along at a rapid rate, riding the crest of a massive wave and finally throwing its reader on Lahinch’s shoreline with a thump…Close is an incredible storyteller.” –  Books Ireland Magazine

    “A remarkable narrative that throws the reader right into the story, this is a book that simply sings. Completely riveting  and relevant; filled with compassion and soul.” – Fallen Star Stories

    “I would highly recommend this book. It’s a chaotic read, full of twists and turns. It is gritty and realistic, and highlights the anguish of an absent parent and the strife of teenage friendships.” – Paper Lanterns

    “A heart-wrenching, hard punching, insightful narrative of life in modern Ireland.” –  Swear by the Books

    Bonus Content

    About the Author

    Helena Close

    From Limerick City in the west of Ireland, Helena Close has been writing full-time for twenty years. She has written or co-written seven novels, published by Hodder Headline (under the pseudonym Sarah O’Brien), Hachette Ireland and Blackstaff Press.

    Photo of Helena Close

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