Discover great debut fiction!
Join us for our first event of 2018 as we welcome Imogen Hermes Gowar to Booka to talk about her fabulous debut novel The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock – a spellbinding story of curiosity, love and obsession set in Georgian London.
One September evening in 1785, the merchant Jonah Hancock hears urgent knocking on his front door. One of his captains is waiting eagerly on the step. He has sold Jonah’s ship for what appears to be a mermaid. As gossip spreads through the docks, coffee shops, parlours and brothels, everyone wants to see Mr Hancock’s marvel. Its arrival spins him out of his ordinary existence and through the doors of high society. At an opulent party, he makes the acquaintance of Angelica Neal, the most desirable woman he has ever laid eyes on… and a courtesan of great accomplishment. This meeting will steer both their lives onto a dangerous new course, on which they will learn that priceless things come at the greatest cost. Where will their ambitions lead? And will they be able to escape the destructive power mermaids are said to possess?
The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock is Vintage’s lead debut of 2018 – we love this book and think it could be huge! Don’t miss this chance to meet a great new literary talent.
Tickets: £6 (£5 redeemable against a signed copy of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock). Includes a glass of wine / soft drink on arrival. Tickets available from the bookshop, or purchase online (with booking fee).