Clara and Christina

For those of us who care about literature, there are many troubling facets to contemporary fiction, particularly the proliferation of books by young writers that are hyped to death and wildly overpraised, both by critics and those blurbers for whom everything is an instant classic. Originality, for one thing. Imagination, for another. Daring, for a third. This book, however, has all those qualities in spades and while I hope it reaches many readers, it should be required reading for writers * Irish Times *
What a delight of a novel. Clara and Christina radiates with wisdom, intelligence and humanity. Andrew Cunning is a very fine writer * Wendy Erskine, author of The Benefactors *
An exquisitely written novel … full of big ideas, quietly and carefully explored. This is a book which reminded me how powerful conversation can be … it felt like spending time with an old, and infinitely wiser, friend * Jan Carson, author of The Fire Starters *
An absolute delight, full of warmth and human surprise. Christina, in particular, is a revelation of a character who will stay with me for the rest of my life * Louise Nealon, author of Snowflake *
An intelligent, insightful, and humane piece of writing … A novel full of wisdom, insight, tenderness, and love, it stands in a league of its own among recent debuts * Patrick Holloway *
An assured, accomplished debut - sharply-observed, full of warmth and intelligence. I adored it! * Gráinne O’Hare, author of Thirst Trap *
I read it all in one breathless sitting * Michelle Gallen, author of Big Girl, Small Town *
Unashamedly cerebral, reflective, wise, academic, and literary - and a defence of the true spirit of enquiry and creativity * Books Ireland *

Andrew Cunning was born on the North coast of Ireland and now lives in North Belfast. He taught literature and theology at various universities, and now teaches English in an all-ability secondary school. Clara and Christina is his first novel.

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