ANDREA ASHWORTH

Todo un acontecimiento literario en Europa con más de 150.000 ejemplares vendidos. A modo de relato autobiográfico, Andrea Ashworth recrea su existencia en el seno de una familia modesta en un barrio marginal de Manchester, en el norte de Inglaterra. La pequeña Andy desde muy temprano muestra una poderosa sensibilidad ante la realidad hostil que la rodea; a muerte de su verdadero padre, las penurias economicas. Una novela en la que la imaginacion, la literatura y la esperanza se convierten en las unicas salidas por donde escapar de un mundo marcado por el dolor. Erase una vez una casa en llamas es la primera novela de Andrea Ashworth , ganadora del premio Somerset Maugham en 1999 y traducida a seis idiomas.

A lauded contemporary classic of the memoir form: devastatingly powerful, moving and uplifting.Winner of the Somerset Maugham AwardStrong and admirable Hilary MantelFull of energy Blake MorrisonWhen our stepfather staggered home reeking of whisky, ceramic hit the wall. We got used to the smash and the next-day stain, but eventually the wallpaper began to fade . . .It is 1970s Manchester, and for Andrea Ashworth, home is not a place of comfort and solace, but of violence and fear. Her father died when she was five, leaving her family to battle with poverty, abuse and the long shadow of depression. But as she comes of age, Andrea looks beyond the walls of her home, to literature and learning, and finds there the courage to rise . . .Written with eye-opening honesty, rare beauty and intense power, Once in a House on Fire is a groundbreaking memoir, endearing in its humour and compassion, and life-affirming in its portrait of terrible circumstances triumphantly overcome.Enchanting and thrilling . . . extremely moving . . . and gratifyingly, very funny The TimesPart of the Picador Collection, showcasing the best of modern literature.