The Two Lives of Louis & Louise

Cohen has written an engaging, moving novel, at its most arresting in the pivotal scenes when she explores the personal fallout of industrial and class conflict in Louis/Louise’s beleaguered hometown. - SUNDAY TIMES

Told over two, initially parallel, narratives (or, indeed, universes), this is a nuanced exploration of how the social expectations of gender can push us down certain paths. - THE INDEPENDENT

In this fascinating novel, Cohen explores the paths taken by Louis and Louise, which run almost parallel until a life-changing event on the night of Lou’s high school graduation. It’s a poignant look at how our gender can determine the way we are treated and the knock-on effects that can have, even if all the other circumstances of our lives are exactly the same - Emerald Street

Book of the Month: The idea behind Louis & Louise is one of the cleverest I’ve seen: a baby is born on 8 September 1978 - from that point, the narrative splits, with the child growing up female in one strand and male in the other… This tender, moving, fantastically readable story is expertly handled by Julie Cohen. - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

A timely read that will stay with you long after you put it down

Emotional and seriously powerful. - FABULOUS MAGAZINE, SUN ON SUNDAY

In the hands of a less skilful author this could have been an unsubtle gimmick to make a point about gender but Julie Cohen has written a powerful and memorable story of small town secrets, family dynamics and the sense that some things are just meant to be. - SUNDAY EXPRESS

This elegantly written novel also examines much that is universal: teen love, parent-child relations, class division and small-town prejudice. - DAILY MAIL