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The Burying Beetle
£3.99
A luminous, life‑affirming novel about courage, wonder and the fierce joy of living every moment as if it matters.
Meet Gussie — twelve years old, full of imagination, and determined to embrace life despite a heart condition that threatens to cut it short.
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About the Ebook
The Burying Beetle introduces Gussie, a twelve‑year‑old girl settling into a ramshackle cliff‑top home above St Ives. She has a life‑threatening heart condition — but she refuses to let it define her. Instead, she approaches each day with humour, curiosity and a fierce zest for life.
Because she knows her time may be short, Gussie notices everything: the light on the sea, the quirks of her new home, the small wonders of the world that others overlook. Her vivid, imaginative voice draws readers into a renewed sense of wonder, reminding us how extraordinary the ordinary can be.
Heartwarming and heartrending, this is a story of courage, joy and the fragile beauty of being alive. Once you’ve met Gussie, you won’t forget her — and you’ll never take life for granted again.
Critical Praise
"Atmospheric and beguiling… written with a precision that guards it from sentimentality."
— Helen Dunmore
"Acutely observed, tender, funny and very moving."
— Michael Foreman
"Gussie fairly fizzles with vitality… I hope her story sells a trillion, zillion copies."
— Michael Bayley
"Quite beautifully done… I ignored hunger pangs to finish it in great sadness."
— Sue Baker, Publishing News
Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award • Selected for the WH Smith New Talent Initiative
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- A beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that balances humour and heartbreak.
- A unique, unforgettable narrator whose voice fizzes with life.
- A celebration of wonder in the everyday world.
- Perfect for readers of literary fiction, YA crossover, and heartfelt contemporary stories.
- A standout Luath Press title recognised for its craft, warmth and emotional impact.
About the Author
Ann Kelley is a photographer and prize‑winning poet who once nearly played cricket for Cornwall. She has published poetry collections, photographic works and an audio book of cat stories. She lives on the edge of a cliff in Cornwall with her husband and cats, where they have survived a flood, a landslip, a lightning strike and even the roof blowing off.
Publication Details
Publisher: Luath Press
Publication Date: —
Print Length: — (Ebook edition)
ISBN (Ebook): 9781909912489
Format: Ebook
Language: English
Categories: Fiction / Literary Fiction / Contemporary
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