Shtum

Ben Jewell has hit breaking point. His ten-year-old son, Jonah, has never spoken. So when Ben and Jonah are forced to move in with Ben's elderly father, three generations of men - one who can't talk; two who won't - are thrown together. As Ben battles single fatherhood, a string of well-meaning social workers and his own demons, he learns some difficult home truths. Jonah, blissful in his innocence, becomes the prism through which all the complicated strands of personal identity, family history and misunderstanding are finally untangled. Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, THE SHOCK OF THE FALL and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. "In this darkly funny and emotive debut, Ben Jewell has hit a breaking point. His profoundly autistic ten-year-old son, Jonah, has never spoken, and Ben and his wife Emma are struggling to cope. When Ben and Emma fake a separationa strategic, yet ill-advised, decision to further Jonah's case in an upcoming tribunal to determine the future of his educationfather and son are forced to move in with Georg, Ben's elderly and cantankerous father. In a small house in north London, three generations of men one who can't talk; two who won'tare thrown together. As Ben confronts single fatherhood, he must battle a string of well-meaning social workers and his own demons to advocate for his son, learning some harsh lessons about accountability from his own father along the way. As the tribunal draws near, Jonah, blissful in his innocence, becomes the prism through which all the complicated strands of personal identity, family history, and misunderstanding are finally untangled."--Amazon.com 'an Unforgettable First Novel' The Times * * * * * The Ebook Bestseller About Fathers, Sons And Love Ten-year-old Jonah Lives In A World Of His Own. He Likes Colours And Feathers And The Feel Of Fresh Air On His Skin. He Dislikes Sudden Loud Noises And Any Change To His Daily Routine. Jonah Has Never Spoken, Yet Somehow He Communicates Better Than All Of The Adults In His Life. Inspired By The Author's Experiences With His Own Son, Shtum Is A Novel About Three Generations Of A Family Learning To Get Along. * * * * * 'a Book With True Heart And Soul' Joanna Cannon 'whether You Think Shtum Is A Novel About Autism Or About Marriage (it's Both, By The Way), You Will Agree That It Is, In The End, A Love Story Infused With Wit, Charm, And A Deep Appreciation For The Complex Beauty Of Damaged Souls.' Jonathan Tropper