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The Essence of the Thing
Written by Madeleine St John
- Shortlisted
- The Booker Prize 1997
- Published by Fourth Estate
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Madeleine St John’s novel about the shockingly abrupt end to a relationship skillfully treads a fine line between humour and pathos
Nicola’s problems begin when she is told by her partner, Jonathan, that they should part. She goes out to the off-licence and returns to find a stranger in her living room. The stranger looks and talks like Jonathan, but Jonathan had always been predictable. Where was the man she loved?
Madeleine St John
Born in Sydney, Madeleine St John graduated from Sydney University and lived most of her life in London. She was the author of four novels
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