The second novel by Frome-based author Keith Stuart is launched by Little Brown on 7th February.
Stuart’s previous novel, A Boy Made of Blocks was a Richard and Judy book club pick in 2016 and went on to sell over 200,000 copies in the UK. It has now been published in over 20 countries.
Days of Wonder is the story of teenager Hannah Rose and her father Tom, who manages a local theatre. When Hannah is diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition, Tom and the theatre’s eccentric rabble of amateur actors rally around to help her cope. But when the theatre is threatened with closure, the father and daughter face their biggest challenge yet.
The story is set in and around Somerset, and the town that Hannah and Tom live in is highly influenced by Frome. “I wanted to try and capture the spirit and eccentricity of the town,” explains Stuart. “Days of Wonder is a kind of magical story and I really love that Frome is an eccentric, offbeat place where a story like this could actually happen. The town really inspired me and I wrote most of the novel in cafes like the Black Swan and River House.”
Days of Wonder has already drawn rave reviews from the press, authors and readers. Heat magazine gave the book five stars and called it ‘the most emotionally powerful book we’ve read all year’. Good Housekeeping stated, ‘Fans of Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You will love Days of Wonder. Made me laugh and cry in turn’.
Above: Keith Stuart
