Misplaced Persons

From the author of the Costa Prize shortlisted The Good Guy

The Yardley family is fracturing.

Eighteen years since their move to Brussels and the future is clouded with uncertainty for Neil, a Brit, American Marcy and their three Belgian-born children. Wrapped up in their own worries, Neil and Marcy fail to see how much their middle child, Alec, is struggling. When Marcy offers shelter to a young Syrian refugee, it triggers an explosive train of events that affects every member of the family.

Against a backdrop of growing terror threats and Europe's worst refugee crisis since the Second World War, Misplaced Persons astutely explores miscues and misunderstandings, the strength of family bonds and the meaning of home.

“Susan Beale's writing is alive with subtlety and flair. Her stories unspool with a confident voice, a relish for detail and deft shifts in perspective”

Tessa Hadley
How skilfully Beale negotiates a minefield in this lucid account of colliding realities Saga Magazine
Timely but has great warmth and readability, too Good Housekeeping
Thought provoking and powerful . . . Superbly written, this is a significant and poignant story that will resonate with many people at different stages of their lives Buzz Magazine

Susan Beale's first novel, The Good Guy, was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award in 2016. A graduate of the Bath Spa MA in Creative Writing, she lived in Brussels for over sixteen years and currently resides in Amsterdam.

From the author of the Costa Prize shortlisted The Good Guy The Yardley family is fracturing.Eighteen years since their move to Brussels and the future is clouded with uncertainty for Neil, a Brit, American Marcy and their three Belgian-born children. Wrapped up in their own worries, Neil and Marcy fail to see how much their middle child, Alec, is struggling. When Marcy offers shelter to a young Syrian refugee, it triggers an explosive train of events that affects every member of the family. Against a backdrop of growing terror threats and Europe's worst refugee crisis since the Second World War, Misplaced Persons astutely explores miscues and misunderstandings, the strength of family bonds and the meaning of home.

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