My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent

First and foremost, a warning. This is an uncomfortable read - I found my toes curling and my gut and teeth clenching as I read some sections. But when there seemed to be hope in the story, I relaxed and prayed everything would be ok. Because the story is about abuse - sexual, mental and physical - of a 14 year old girl by her own father. But even though we know it's wrong and it's horrific, the daughter, Turtle, loves her father, Martin, so much that she accepts what is happening and doesn't try to escape. I think that part is so heartbreaking.

The two live in a large house on a huge piece of land, and the grandfather lives in a trailer in the orchard. When the mother was alive, the property was looked after, succulent fruits and vegetables growing in the garden, flowers abundant, the house clean and sparkling. But now everything has fallen into disrepair - weeds and brambles have taken over in the garden, grease rust and deadly spiders have taken over the house. With the loss of his wife, Martin's mind has also fallen into disrepair. He has brought his daughter up shunning attempts of friendship from others, and he teaches her how to shoot.

One day, Turtle bumps into two boys out trekking, they get lost and she helps them find the right path home. The arrival of these boys, Jacob and Brett, into the story inject humour, pathos, normality and hope into the story, and you wish it would carry on just being the three of them. But not all stories have happy endings - Martin doesn't want to share his daughter with anybody, and he will go to any lengths to stop that happening. 

I think this title will be big because the storyline is so shocking and unbearable everyone will be talking about it. The author was brought up by two mothers, and I wonder whether his attitude towards fathers has any bearing on the character of Martin. Gabriel's love of nature shines through the whole book - how can the beauty of nature be described so acutely alongside the ugliness of such characters as Martin? The contrast is obvious and purposeful.

An unforgettable read.