Every object has a story to tell.
Set against the backdrop of the Norfolk coast, The Naming of Bones weaves a patchwork tale of redemption and recovery. Real-life memories intertwine with dreams and folklore in this deeply moving tale of loss and unresolved grief, where tiny moments carry as much weight as the ever-present, ever-changing North Sea.
As passionate as it is personal, this story unearths relics of the author's life to reveal the transformative power of love, understanding and forgiveness.
"If you only read one book this year, let it be The Naming of Bones. Jan Kaneen's themes make compelling reading: brutal honesty about anxiety disorder, complex family dynamics and the realisation that an incalculable loss has lain unacknowledged for years. The narrative voice develops as the author picks up a literary pen for the first time, which goes hand-in-hand with ghostly imagery taking on a more concrete form. The author's newfound ability serves to unravel the disquiet in her mind, as she embraces the incantations that have haunted her for years: 'I start with my toes, phalanges, metatarsals. . .'"
Nod Ghosh, author of The Crazed Wind and Filthy Sucre.