In all likelihood this summer’s big hit, and deservedly so, this enchanting and at times poignant debut novel by Guardian journalist Laura Barnett ticks all the boxes (and has already been swooped on by TV for adaptation as a mini series). Spanning the lives of a couple (and their friends, lovers and family) over several decades from Cambridge undergraduates to old age with an affection for the characters that drips off the page, we follow the subtle (and at times frustrating ) way insignificant moments can change the unfurling of a life and how happiness can sometimes depend on the smallest incident –a dog colliding or not with a cyclist- and the road of life can so easily bifurcate into alternate and often contradictory existences. A gentle book which will appeal to fans of David Nicholls and well beyond, in the way that a clever existential concept can illuminate the seesaw nature of people’s lives but still displays an endearing voice of its own. I loved it. ~ Maxim Jakubowski
#1 UK Bestseller "A joy." — Guardian "Enchanting." — People "Triumphant." — Sunday Telegraph"Stunningly crafted and constantly surprising . . . An utterly convincing love story about two people destined to be together somehow, no matter what." — Times "One Day meets Sliding Doors." — ElleA dazzling novel about the ways the smallest decisions give shape to our lives, The Versions of Us charts a relationship through three possible futures. Cambridge, 1958. Late for class, Eva Edelstein swerves to miss a dog and crashes her bike. Jim Taylor hurries to help her. In that brief moment, three outcomes are born for Eva and Jim. As the strands of their lives weave together and apart across the decades from college through wildly different successes and disappointments, seductions and betrayals, births and funerals, joys and sorrows, the only constant is the power of their connection. TheVersions of Us is a tour de force of storytelling. "Barnett renders an irresistible concept in sweet, cool prose — a bit like a choose-your-own-adventure book in which you don't have to choose." — Observer "One of the most engrossing novels either of us has read in years." —Richard Madeley, Richard and Judy Book Club "I simply adored this wonderful novel." — Jessie Burton, author of The Muse and The Miniaturist.
'It's annoying when a book won't let you give it up. You put it to one side and think maybe I will read that later because you have more important things to do. And there it is the next day, in your hands, wide open, pulling you back in, just not letting you go... As a first novel this is quite an accomplishment.' NEWBOOKSMAG
'It's hard to believe this is Laura Barnett's debut novel. It's so sophisticated and well put-together - I'm completely in awe of how Barnett managed to write not just one story, but three, and make them all work perfectly together.' GIRL! REPORTER
'glorious... a book that I think will do incredibly well come its release' A CASE FOR BOOKS
Author
About Laura Barnett
Laura Barnett is a writer, journalist and theatre critic. She has been on staff at the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph, and writes for a number of national newspapers and magazines. Laura was born in 1982 in south London, where she now lives with her husband. She studied Spanish and Italian at Cambridge University, and newspaper journalism at City University, London.
Her first non-fiction book, Advice from the Players - a compendium of advice for actors - is published by Nick Hern Books. Laura has previously published short stories, for which she has won several awards. The Versions of Us is her first novel and has sold in 24 countries, with television rights optioned by Trademark Films. Laura is currently working on her second novel Greatest Hits.
