Author Talk with Claire Lynch

A mother following her heart. A father with the law on his side. A child caught in the middle.

**WINNER OF THE NERO BOOK AWARDS DEBUT FICTION AWARD 2025**

• Date: Thursday 12 March
• Time: 7pm
• Venue: Sevenoaks Bookshop, 147 High Street, Sevenoaks, Tn13 1XJ
• Tickets: from £10

'This book really got to me! So straightforward and clearly written - the characters are completely real for me. A family story. A mother's story. With so much importance, injustice and heartbreak - there is so much to feel, so much to talk about. My heart!!' Fleur - Bookseller Review

'I'll be thinking about it for ever' Barbara Kingsolver

'A gorgeously written story...a must-read' Jennie Godfrey

'A beautiful and tender exploration of parental love, prejudice and the things we carry that we don't even fully understand; the terrible decisions made in ignorance, and the almost unbearable consequences' Rachel Joyce

'I was caught up from the first page and completely taken aback by this story. I loved it' Clare Chambers

A Family Matter

1982 Dawn is a young wife and mother hemmed in by village life. Then Hazel appears like a torch in the dark. Their attraction is instant and suddenly Dawn's world is more joyful, and more complicated, than she ever expected.

2022 Maggie has always lived with an absence where her mother should be. Her father never speaks of her and it feels impossible to ask. Then an official letter arrives with news from the past, and Maggie must face a truth far bigger than just her family's secret.

Claire Lynch

Claire Lynch has spent her career teaching literature in universities. She is the author of Small: On Motherhoods. She lives in Windsor with her wife and three daughters.

Some of the ticket options that don’t include the author’s book, or are specially priced for couples, are limited in number and can sell out quickly. Our aim is to try and bring the best and most interesting authors to our town. We are always trying to balance accessibility and affordability for our audiences, alongside requirements from publishers to sell enough books for events to be worthwhile enterprises for their authors.

Also check out other Arts events in Sevenoaks, Literary Art events in Sevenoaks.