Brilliantly inventive and original. This debut novel tells the story of Calamity Leek: a girl who has never been allowed beyond the garden wall, until now.

"Wonderfully strange" -- Mark Haddon, Author Of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time "This hypnotic debut novel - one of the hottest reads of the year - is no ordinary book. It combines pitch-perfect teen angst with a fantastical setting and premise; as much a hymn to reading as a gripping story." Elle "This is an utterly original, intriguing and intense book which thrills the reader with its story and language. This is the start of a stunning career. Paula L is to be congratulated hugely - I am sent about 20 books a week, so many of them simply copying what has gone before, or following very obvious trends, and it's so good to encounter real individuality and freshness and an identifiable, strong, creative voice." -- Bidisha "A fantastic novel, and a really exciting and engaging new voice. The fact that the reader has to work hard to understand this world makes it all the more compelling, and it packs quite an emotional punch when we realise what's going on. I couldn't put it down, and loved the voice of Calamity, and her vulnerability and reliance on her world, while the reader could see it cracking wide open, was heartbreaking." -- Jess Richards, Author Of Snake Ropes "Deeply perplexing ... as hints of the reality behind the fantasy start to emerge, the story develops its own peculiar and intense momentum." -- Nick Rennison Sunday Times

Paula Lichtarowicz lives in London and works in television production. This is her first novel.