WINNER OF THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2015

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2015 AND THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE 2015

Meet the Bradleys.

In lots of ways, they’re a normal family:
Zippy is sixteen and in love for the first time; Al is thirteen and dreams of playing for Liverpool.

And in some ways, they’re a bit different:
Seven-year-old Jacob believes in miracles. So does his dad.

But these days their mum doesn’t believe in anything, not even getting out of bed.

How does life go on, now that Issy is gone?

Prizes

Short-listed for Costa First Novel Award 2014

I cannot remember a time when a novel has seduced me so completely . . . Bray writes with such clarity, intelligence and authenticity that it feels as if a trusted old friend is telling you the story, that the characters are people you know. * The Times *
Wonderful ... heartbreaking, compassionate and funny. -- Shelley Harris * Independent on Sunday *
Bray explores the healing power of religion with rare assurance in one of the year's most impressive debuts. * Mail on Sunday *
Bray brings humour, empathy and knowledge to what is fundamentally a novel about grief and faith ... Read this if you like: Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You. * Harper's Bazaar *
I loved this tender, moving, funny and deeply truthful story about a family and a faith tested to breaking-point. -- Helen Dunmore, author of THE LIE
A brilliant debut, compelling and profoundly moving. -- Nathan Filer, Costa winner of THE SHOCK OF THE FALL
A terrific book . . . I loved A SONG FOR ISSY BRADLEY ... it’s moving and comforting in a way that makes sense even to the agnostic. -- Nick Hornby
A powerful, heart-breaking book. * Daily Express *
unique . . . beautifully written . . . powerful * Daily Mail *
Bray slips with thoroughness, imagination and dexterity into each of the characters' consciousness . . . [She] is wincingly honest and emotions are portrayed with an assurance that comes from understanding . . . A Song for Issy Bradley is a skilful and empathetic dramatisation. The fact that it deals with such distressing subject matter without falling prey to sentimentality makes it all the more admirable . . . There are some wonderful one-liners . . .Bray's greatest gift, however, is understatement. -- Grace McCleen * Guardian *

Carys Bray was awarded the Scott Prize for her debut short-story collection, Sweet Home. Her first novel, A Song for Issy Bradley, was chosen for Radio 4’s Book at Bedtime and was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and winner of the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award 2015. She lives in Southport with her husband and four children.