Tell Me an Ending: A New York Times sci-fi book of the year Jo Harkin 9781529151374

'Pure pleasure' THE TIMES
'Incredibly nicely written . . . [Jo Harkin] writes really well about human beings. I really enjoyed it' MARIAN KEYES
'Sharply, beautifully written' THE NEW YORK TIMES
'As page-turning as a thriller, and as thought-provoking as an inquiry into the human mind should be' i PAPER
'Intriguing, frightening, witty and humane' WALL STREET JOURNAL
'Riveting and thought-provoking' KAREN THOMPSON WALKER
'Whip-smart and thoughtful with a dark vein of humour. Compulsively readable. I loved it - CHRISTINA SWEENEY-BAIRD
'I literally couldn't put it down' CARYS BRAY

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What if you could erase your most painful memory? Would you still, be you?

Across the world, thousands of people are shocked to receive an email telling them that they once chose to have a traumatic memory removed. Now they are being given the chance to get that memory back.

For Mei, William, Oscar and Finn there is a piece missing, but they're not sure what. And each of them must decide if the truth is worth the pain, or better left unknown.

For Noor, who works at the memory clinic Nepenthe, the process of reinstating their patients' memories begins to shake the moral foundations of her world. As she delves deeper into the programme, she will have to risk everything to uncover the true human cost of this miraculous technology.

An exploration of secrets, grief, identity and belonging - of the stories we tell ourselves, and come to rely on, Tell Me An Ending is a sharp, dark and devastating novel about the power and danger of memory.

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'A compelling cautionary tale...an intelligent ensemble piece that raises fascinating questions about how we use memory both to create and dismantle ourselves, and the ultimate mystery of who, or possibly what, "myself" actually is' GUARDIAN

'Extraordinary...gripping, inventive, and a memory I'll never forget' EMMA STONEX

'A triumph of a novel . . . I loved it' EMYLIA HALL
'Original, compelling, and utterly captivating' LUCY CLARKE

'A smart, thought-provoking page-turner. I loved it' MARCEL THEROUX
'Suspenseful, richly imagined, and brimming with compassion... I finished the last page desperate to discuss this brilliant novel with everyone I know' JESSAMINE CHAN

'Thought-provoking and utterly compulsive' TAHMIMA ANAM
'Original, morally complex, heartbreakingly human' TAMMY COHEN

'It will stay with me for a long time' JESSICA BARRY

'A compelling page-turner rendered in exquisite prose' SHELLEY HARRIS

About the Author
Jo Harkin studied English literature at university. She daydreamed her way through various jobs in her twenties before giving in and becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Berkshire.

Reviews
Harkin's characters are drawn with wit and economy, and watching their stories dovetail is pure pleasure * The Times *
Incredibly nicely written . . . [Jo Harkin] writes really well about human beings. I really enjoyed it -- Marian Keyes
This compelling cautionary tale is set in an alternative present where it's possible to have painful memories removed . . . Interconnecting narratives by multiple character . . . weave into an ensemble piece that raises fascinating questions about how we use memory both to create and dismantle ourselves, and the ultimate mystery of who, or possibly what, "myself" actually is * Guardian *
A narrative that is as page-turning as a thriller, and as thought-provoking as an inquiry into the human mind should be * i Paper *
An extraordinary novel-- intelligent and searching, with deep questions about humanity, history and self. Expansive in its scope and themes, but never losing touch with its characters' hearts and minds, Tell Me an Ending is gripping, inventive, and a memory I'll never forget -- Emma Stonex
Beautifully drawn, sympathetic and with complex characters. I stayed up all night - I literally couldn't put it down -- Carys Bray
Tell Me An Ending is a triumph of a novel . . . it asks searching questions about our relationship with memory, and each other. I loved it -- Emylia Hall
A smart, thought-provoking page-turner. I loved it -- Marcel Theroux
Perfect for fans of David Mitchell, it's a twisty and compelling exploration of what might happen if humans were able to erase painful memories * iNews *
Sharply, beautifully written and punctuated with wry, slanted asides, Tell Me an Ending is one of the most sophisticated works of science fiction I've read recently * New York Times *
Suspenseful, richly imagined, and brimming with compassion, Jo Harkin's Tell Me an Ending poses tantalizing questions about technology, ethics, capitalism, memory, trauma, and fate. How far would we go to live a happier life? Who are we without the memories that have shaped us? A feat of ingenious, intricate world-building. I finished the last page desperate to discuss this brilliant novel with everyone I know -- Jessamine Chan, author of The School For Good Mothers
Tell Me an Ending is a cleverly conceived and wonderfully executed ensemble piece: intriguing, frightening, witty and humane * Wall Street Journal *
A cautionary tale about technology making its way into the very depths of our personal lives, Tell Me an Ending is thought-provoking and utterly compulsive -- Tahmima Anam, author of The Startup Wife
A triumph! Original, compelling, and utterly captivating. Told through a cast of sharply observed, complex characters, Tell Me An Ending takes us on a fascinating journey into the depths of human memory -- Lucy Clarke
Original, morally complex, heartbreakingly human. Dares to pose the question: how much do our traumas define us, and who are we without them? -- Tammy Cohen
TELL ME AN ENDING is that rare bird: a page-turner that not only makes you think but forces you to question your perception of the world. It will stay with me for a long time -- Jessica Barry
Clever and imaginative, Tell Me an Ending is a riveting and thought-provoking exploration of one of our most precious and fragile powers: the ability to remember the moments of our lives -- Karen Thompson Walker
A compelling page-turner rendered in exquisite prose -- Shelley Harris
Whip-smart and thoughtful with a dark vein of humour. Compulsively readable. I loved it -- Christina Sweeney-Baird
An important novel . . . Jo Harkin does a masterful job . . . this mind-bending debut will certainly make you think * Book Reporter *
A terrific read - I enjoyed it tremendously * The Ryan Tubridy Show, RTE Radio 1 *
Jo Harkin has created a speculative novel which digs into our instinctual curiosity and our need to know everything * Irish Examiner *



Book Information
ISBN 9781529151374
Author Jo Harkin
Format Hardback
Page Count 544
Imprint Hutchinson Heinemann
Publisher Cornerstone
Weight(grams) 651g
Dimensions(mm) 222mm * 144mm * 46mm