The Observations

Description

'Vastly original. Bessy is surely one of the most striking characters in recent fiction: cynical, disruptive, tender and very, very funny.' Independent on Sunday Shortlisted for the Orange Prize Scotland, 1863. In an attempt to escape her past, Bessy Buckley takes a job working as a maid in a big country house. But when Arabella, her beautiful mistress, asks her to undertake a series of bizarre tasks, Bessy begins to realise that she hasn't quite landed on her feet. In one of the most acclaimed debuts of recent years, Jane Harris has created a heroine who will make you laugh and cry as she narrates this unforgettable story about secrets and suspicions and the redemptive power of love and friendship.

Jane Harris was born in Belfast and brought up in Glasgow. Her short stories have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and she has also written several award-winng short films. In 2000 she received a Writer's Award from the Arts Council of England. She lives in London with her husband Tom.

Harris's voice is an original one, and her rollicking yet delicate narrative pitch sets the book apart ... Despite the easy comparisons, this is a true one-off -- Joanna Briscoe Guardian The Observations adds up to entertainment of a high order -- Patricia Craig Independent It's a rare feeling to be swept up by a book in the childhood way, but when it happens it's extraordinary: deeply familiar and strangely unsettling. I was staying in a large house in the middle of a French field when I first discovered Rebecca.Jane Harris's first novel, The Observations, which is set in 1863, has all the necessary ingredients for a Rebecca-like absorption. -- Eleanor Byrne London Review of Books Harris's skilful unravelling of her labyrinthine plot is a joy that will keep you reading well into the small hours Easy Living Magazine Harris's richly comic, deeply touching novel is destined to be one of the publishing sensations of the year -- Jackie McGlone Scotland on Sunday Recounted in gutsy, vibrant prose, this is guaranteed to keep you gripped Eve Magazine Big bosomed and big-hearted, rude, funny and moving, The Observations will be a big hit. Born in Belfast maybe, and apparently now living in England, but I'm claiming, here and now, Jane Harris for Scotland. -- Chris Dolan Herald both intellectually stimulating and immensely good fun Literary Review page-turning Daily Mail Jane Harris has created an unlikely heroine with all the appeal and fearlessness of Moll Flanders and Scarlett O'Hara Daily Express I wept at the end of this brilliant first novel because I was so moved at the way Jane Harris sustains the vivacity, eloquence and pathos of her tale. -- Jennie Renton Sunday Herald 'Funny and original -- Peter Parker Sunday Times The opening page of Jane Harris's The Observations introduces Bessy Buckley as she is about to take a job as a servant in a rambling country house near Edinburgh, her voice will hold you in thrall for the next 400 pages ... Bessy Buckley can hold her head up with Moll Flanders and Becky Sharp as a living, breathing mortal. What takes one away is [her] earthy voice, clear as a bell, ringing out her tale of love, loss and redemption. The Times