A family gathering forces bold decisions to be made in
The Exhibitionist, the fifth novel from Man Booker-longlisted and three-time Women's Prize-longlisted author Charlotte Mendelson.
As heard on BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime
A Times, Guardian, and Good Housekeeping Book of the Year for 2022
Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction
'It takes the most ferocious intelligence, skill, and a deep reservoir of sadness to write a novel as funny as this. I adored it' - Meg Mason, bestselling author of Sorrow & Bliss
Meet the Hanrahan family.
Ray, the father. Acclaimed artist and notorious narcissist, who is obsessed with his own reputation.
Lucia, his long-suffering wife. A lauded sculptor yet terrified of what recognition could bring. And she has a secret of her own which could tear the family apart.
Leah, the eldest daughter, devoted to her father and convinced of his genius.
Patrick, Lucia's sensitive son, who has finally decided to strike out by himself.
Jess, the youngest daughter, insecure and facing a daunting decision.
As they gather for a momentous weekend - the first exhibition of Ray's artwork in many decades - each member of the family must finally make a choice. And when they do, once tensions have boiled over and the guests have departed, what will be left of the Hanrahans?
Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2022, The Exhibitionist is the extraordinary fifth novel from Charlotte Mendelson, a dazzling exploration of art, sacrifice, toxic family politics, queer desire and personal freedom.
'A devastating treat of a novel: funny, furious, dark and delicious' - Sarah Waters, bestselling author of Fingersmith
In
The Exhibitionist Mendelson brings a forensic eye to family dynamics, laying bare the agonies of rage, frustration and longing that lie just beneath the surface of domestic life. The result is
a devastating treat of a novel: funny, furious, dark and delicious Sarah Waters, bestselling author of
Fingersmith
Charlotte Mendelson's novels include
Daughters of Jerusalem,
When We Were Bad,
Almost English, and
The Exhibitionist. She has won both the Somerset Maugham Award and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, has been longlisted for the Man Book, and has been longlisted and shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. She is also the author of one work of non-fiction,
Rhapsody in Green, and is the gardening correspondent for
The New Yorker. She lives in London.
Über den Autor
Charlotte Mendelson
Klappentext
The Exhibitionist is the extraordinary fifth novel from Charlotte Mendelson, a dazzling exploration of art, sacrifice, toxic family politics, queer desire and personal freedom.
'Mendelson is a master at family drama and plots don't get much more dramatic than this . . . Exhilarating' - The Times
'I adored it' - Meg Mason, author of Sorrow and Bliss
'A devastating treat of a novel: funny, furious, dark and delicious' - Sarah Waters, author of Fingersmith
Meet the Hanrahan family, gathering for a momentous weekend as famous artist and notorious egoist Ray Hanrahan prepares for a new exhibition of his art - the first in many decades - and one he is sure will burnish his reputation for good.
His three children will be there: beautiful Leah, always her father's biggest champion; sensitive Patrick, who has finally decided to strike out on his own; and insecure Jess, the youngest, who has her own momentous decision to make . . .
And what of Lucia, Ray's steadfast and selfless wife? She is an artist too, but has always had to put her roles as wife and mother first. What will happen if she decides to change? For Lucia is hiding secrets of her own, and as the weekend unfolds and the exhibition approaches, she must finally make a choice.
*LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2022*
?Delicious, heartbreaking . . . Fabulously written and utterly compelling' - Marian Keyes
'Exceptional' - Woman & Home
'Hilarious, sexy and thoughtful' - Mail on Sunday
