When we go through something impossible, someone, or something, will help us, if we let them….

It is October 1966 and William Lavery is having the night of his life at his first black-tie do. But, as the evening unfolds, news hits of a landslide at a coal mine. It has buried a school: Aberfan.

William decides he must act, so he stands and volunteers to attend. It will be his first job as an embalmer, and it will be one he never forgets.

His work that night will force him to think about the little boy he was, and the losses he has worked so hard to forget. But compassion can have surprising consequences, because – as William discovers – giving so much to others can sometimes help us heal ourselves.

This book is beautiful. The writing is evocative. The story is utterly and extraordinarily brilliant. William’s story will stay with me for a long time.

The author captures the heart of the reader with their unique writing, telling a powerful story in such a tender, respectful way. Beautiful story full of emotions from the very first page.

I have read that Jo Browning Wroe grew up in a crematorium and the respect is clearly shown in her writing. I have already recommended this book to so many friends and I am so excited at the number of articles (newspaper and magazines) that reference this beautiful debut novel.

Thank you to The Pigeonhole, Faber Books and Jo Browning Wroe for the opportunity to join the read-along for this novel.

Jo Browning Wroe’s A Terrible Kindness is published by Faber. You can read more about the author, and the journey to getting this book published, on the Faber website here and also on the C&W website here.

Jo Browning Wroe is on social media

• Instagram: @jobrowningwroe
• Twitter: @JoBrowningWroe

Read about the Faber story, find out about their unique partnerships, and learn more about their publishing heritage and present-day activity on their website here: faber.co.uk

• Facebook: @FaberBooks
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