SHORTLISTED FOR SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION 2025

‘A deeper look into the loneliness of modern masculinity. Superb’ –DOUGLAS STUART, author ofSHUGGIE BAIN

‘I was so moved’ –ANNIE MACMANUS, author ofMOTHER MOTHER

‘Far and away the best debut novel I’ve read in a very long time’ –JOHN NIVEN, author ofO BROTHER

‘Nobody writes wee guys like Chris McQueer’ –CALLUM MCSORLEY, author ofSQUEAKY CLEAN

‘A dreadful – but masterful – read’ –ALICE SLATER, author ofDEATH OF A BOOKSELLER

Since dropping out of school three years ago with no qualifications, no pals and no ambition, Jamie Skelton spends most of his days asleep and most of his nights playing video games with his online friend, Lee, occasionally making the journey downstairs to the kitchen for a microwave burger.

He hasn’t left the house in months, and now he’s not sure he can.

Fiona, Jamie’s maw, is trying her best, but since finding the courage to kick out her abusive husband, her confidence has never recovered. She knows their lives can’t carry on like this, but the more Fiona tries to reach Jamie, the further away he seems to get.

Lee tells Jamie he’s realised there’s a name for what they are –incels –and that there’s a guy on the forums they can go stay with in London, to get away from their nagging mams.

When a chance arises for Jamie to escape to London and meet his new friends, Fiona must find a way to reconnect with her son before he is lost for ever.