Fervour

Intriguing, propulsive and profoundly disturbing, this is a fearless look into the dark heart of family politics from a naturally gifted storyteller
JONATHAN COE

Magnificent, indelible . . . That a young British novelist, on his first try, should have so effectively taken up a gauntlet laid down by the greatest American novelist of an era [Toni Morrison] might seem surprising. But maybe not . . . Enriching his story with detail and above all heart, Lloyd has crafted a lasting allegory of our dark historical time
NEW YORK TIMES

Stylish, puzzling, mystical . . . Fervour marks the arrival of an intriguing and intelligent new voice
FINANCIAL TIMES

A suspenseful debut novel that propels the reader deep into the heart of an idiosyncratic family
OBSERVER

A rich and dark stew that mixes ingredients from the Bible and the headlines, with a biting send-up of the vampiric nature of writing itself
DAILY MAIL

Remarkable . . . a work of real poignancy
MAIL ON SUNDAY

Darkly comedic in parts, yet deeply disturbing and utterly compelling, Fervour is an exceptional debut novel
JENNIE GODFREY, AUTHOR OF THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS

THE ROSENTHALS ARE NOT LIKE OTHER FAMILIES
Hannah and Eric are devout Jews living in North London with their three children and Erics father Yosef, a Holocaust survivor. Both intellectually gifted and deeply unconventional, the Rosenthals believe in the literal truth of the Old Testament and in the presence of God (and evil) in daily life.

As Hannah prepares to publish a sensationalist account of Yosefs years in war-torn Europe - unearthing a terrible secret from his time in the camps- Elsie, her perfect daughter, starts to come undone. And then, in the wake of Yosefs death, she disappears. When she returns, just as mysteriously as she left, she is altered in disturbing ways.

Witnessing the complete transformation of her daughter, Hannah begins to suspect that Elsie has delved too deep into the labyrinths of Jewish mysticism and got lost among shadows. But for Elsies brother Tovyah, a brilliant but reclusive student at Oxford, the truth is much simpler: his sister is the product of a dysfunctional family, obsessed with empty rituals and unbridled ambition.

But who is right? And how can they stop the darkness from engulfing Elsie forever?

Extraordinary. . . A tremendous debut from a strikingly talented new writer
KIRKUS (starred review)

Gripping and powerful . . . Fans of Isaac Bashevis Singer and Stephen King alike will thrill to this superb modern folk tale
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)

In this debut that explores identity, faith, and folklore . . . the dynamics are acutely observed, the characters vividly realised, and the escalating drama has the hypnotic, chilling effect of a horror film
BOOKSELLER (Editors Choice)