Disturbance

Propulsive and wry, this razor-sharp debut is perfect for fans of Boy Parts and My Year of Rest and Relaxation explores all the ways that relationships and trauma can haunt our lives.

As the sun sets on a feverishly hot July evening, a young woman spies on her teenage neighbour, transfixed by what looks like an occult ritual to banish an ex-boyfriend. Desperate to expel the claustrophobic memories of her own ex that have followed, the narrator decides to try to hex herself free from her past.

She falls in with the neighbour and her witchy friend, exploring nascent supernatural powers as the boundaries of reality shift in and out of focus. But when the creaks and hums of her apartment escalate into something more violent, she realizes that she may have brought her boyfriend's presence – whether psychological or paranormal – back to haunt her.

About the Author

Jenna Clake's debut collection of poetry, Fortune Cookie, won the Melita Hume prize in 2016 and was published in 2017 by Eyewear. It received an Eric Gregory Award from the Society of Authors in 2018 and was shortlisted for a Somerset Maugham Award in the same year. Jenna's poetry criticism has appeared in Poetry London, Poetry School, and Poetry Review. Her second collection Museum of Ice Cream was published by Bloodaxe and featured as one of the Telegraph's best new poetry books in 2021. She lectures in Creative Writing at Teesside University.

Reviews

"A smart, sinister novel about how an abusive relationship – with its ominous rituals, hexes and jump-scares – can turn a home into a haunted house. Blood-curdling and bloody brilliant." ―Clare Pollard, author of Delphi

"Jenna Clake's sun-baked novel is a sly and sharply-written portrayal of loneliness, the devastating effects of an abusive relationship and our cultural infatuation with the perceived potential of adolescence. Both bracing and compelling, muted yet blazing with undercurrents of uncanny nostalgia and female rage – a dark and shifty treat." ―Sharlene Teo, author of Ponti

"SO beautifully written – a nuanced and raw portrayal of domestic abuse so realistic I felt like the author had been in my head and rooted through my memories. Can't recommend enough... It's also hopeful and powerful, following the narrator as she learns to trust her own judgement again and rediscovers her power." ―Rose Wilding, author of Speak of the Devil

"Told in vivid domestic details flavoured by the occult, Disturbance embodies the claustrophobic fear and denial that can haunt survivors of abuse long after the danger has passed. This book reads like a poem but hits like a horror novel. What a mysterious, painful, yet strangely delicious slice of life" ―Ashley Hutson, author of One's Company

Dimensions: 12.8 x 2 x 19.6 cm