Gloria Don't Speak

by Lucy Apps

Gloria has a learning disability. She's nineteen, and there's nothing to do except wander the local parks, look for friendship and keep out of trouble - or go round Jack's. Jack needs Gloria's company, but he's unpredictable and angry at the world. After an act of violence, their friendship has to end. Now Gloria's on her own. But when she hears Jack's out of prison, her whole world is turned upside-down. Heart-breaking and beautiful, Gloria Don't Speak is an insightful portrait of a woman dealing with vulnerability, violence - and the desire for connection.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Abuse, Adult, Disability

300 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2026

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the reasons I read the Women's Prize every year (or try to) is to find books I would never have picked up on my own, especially from the small and indie presses. This is one such read.

Gloria, our main character, is predominantly non verbal and socially isolated, yet forms an unlikely, and unhealthy attachment, to volatile Jack. It's not quite a friendship, but rather a bonding of two people who are desperately trying to seek something from the other than they are unable to give. And then Jack commits a violent crime that upends Gloria's small world.

The writing in this is really interesting, reflecting and using Gloria's echolalia to demonstrate her struggle with communicating. I also felt able to understand, and feel as though I was inside Gloria's head, even despite this obvious struggle she has with expressing herself.

I did feel at times this was a book very much of two halves - the before and after of Jack's crime, and the first half was a lot stronger than the latter. I felt like Gloria started to fade away the further she got from 1999, and her constant remembering of the past, and mixing of the timelines, didn't help to propel the story in the way I would have liked.

A really interesting read, and I'm glad I picked this up.

[Darryl Suite · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moment I heard about this book I thought of the Women’s Prize. I was pleased when it ended up on the longlist because it gave me the excuse to prioritize it.


Our protagonist is Gloria, a nineteen-year-old with a learning disability. She enjoys exploring the neighborhood while constantly being told by her mother to stay out of trouble. “You need to get used to amusing yourself, Gloria. You're an adult now, no one's gonna entertain you. I've gotta go work. I've gotta be able to trust you.”


In walks Jack. A young man who forms a friendship with Gloria. He’s constantly going on about the end of the world while exhibiting a dangerous demeanor that Gloria is drawn to. Eventually, his attitude towards her becomes possessive and she finds herself co-dependent on him. The story takes an explosive turn once Jack erupts into an unforgivable act of violence.


From this point onwards, the novel morphs into a story of trauma and its lingering effects. We see how Gloria’s structured set of routines begins to crumble. She’s suddenly exposed to a world that doesn’t make sense to her, a system that’s unfamiliar, a darkness that wasn’t initially a part of her worldview. Not only can the aftereffects of trauma cause one to feel isolated and alone, what can it do to someone who already has difficulty expressing themselves? This novel presented some really interesting questions.


Gloria Don’t Speak is heartbreaking. The mood is quite atmospheric. The voice is consistently compelling. The plot goes into some unexpected places. A story about loneliness, trauma, codependency, and self-discovery. Impressive debut.

[cosylittlereadingcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when a book promises something not widely covered in fiction yet is something that affects many in real life. ‘Gloria Don’t Speak’ is such a book and it does what it promises so very well!

Gloria has a learning disability and at the start of the book she is 19, living at home with her working single mum. This means, that having finished college, Gloria is on her own during the day. She lives near a park in, what I perceived to be, a deprived area of London and it is here where Gloria meets Jack.

Gloria is mostly non verbal and can be easily overwhelmed in certain situations, resulting in a physical reaction but Jack lets her be herself. He doesn’t make her speak and just enjoys having company even if quiet. But Jack’s life’s been hard for different reasons and he is unpredictable and angry. And one day this pent up anger results in a terrible tragedy, a moment Gloria cannot forget, and Jack ends up in prison. The years pass, Gloria moves into a supported living accommodation but Jack remains in her mind and when she hears that he is out of prison, her past becomes her present again.

There’s so much packed into in this relatively short but powerful book (256 pages). I love the writing style whereby the author managed to make me feel like I was in Gloria’s head one moment but then the outside world the next. To see the world through Gloria’s eyes but then to see her from the viewpoint of others too.

It highlights the so many difficulties faced by those living with such disabilities, the impact of the lottery of life and who it brings you in contact with. This book is tender and heartbreaking at the same time and the author’s real life experience of volunteering with women with learning disabilities is evident in every page.

Gloria will sneak into your heart in this beautiful portrayal of loneliness, the need for human connection and the challenges of navigating a world not centred around the way Gloria’s mind works.

[Sarah Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be thinking about Gloria for a long time. Atmospheric writing that gave such a unique perspective. A hard read at times, I almost couldn’t bear to see what happened next. A clever ending.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this book after seeing it Longlisted for this year's Women's Prize for Fiction; what a find! This was a truly moving, original and thought-provoking novel that will stay with me for a long time! Fingers crossed that I'll see it on the shortlist too!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gloria Don't Speak by Lucy Apps - ⭐⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2

This is a unique novel because it brings me into the perspective of someone I rarely encounter in literature: a woman with a learning disability. Gloria is almost nonverbal and easily overwhelmed in noisy environments, and the novel places us directly inside her mind.

We follow her friendship with Jack, a man angry at the world. When he becomes involved in an act of violence, Gloria’s world is completely upended. Unable to answer the police’s questions afterward, she becomes quietly obsessed with the victim’s family. Years later, when Gloria is no longer living with her mother but in supported social care, she hears that Jack has been released from prison. The news unsettles her deeply and eventually leads her to commit a small—though still significant—act of violence herself.

It is a difficult and sometimes heavy read about a woman searching for companionship and understanding, while living with the long aftermath of violence.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because Gloria is portrayed with great empathy. Being inside her head helped me understand people like her better. The novel draws on Lucy Apps’s experience volunteering with women with learning disabilities, and Gloria feels very real—like some friends I have known with similar disabilities.

The title is also quite interesting. Instead of “Gloria Doesn’t Speak,” it is “Gloria Don’t Speak.” I’m still thinking about the author’s intention behind this choice. It might echo Gloria’s own relationship with language and grammar, subtly reflecting the way the novel invites us into her perspective. (Do comment I you have different interpretation about this!)

I’m also impressed that this novel comes from an indie publisher, Weatherglass Books, and I’m glad it’s receiving the recognition it deserves.

[Sara Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Samantha Grenier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast but stressful read 😵‍💫

[Paul Fulcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longlisted for the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction

Everybody says Why don't you speak or Do you speak or You should speak more or Can't you speak? Even this boy with his hat on his face. Even Jack says You don't talk much. She's mad. She's so mad and tired of everyone talking about words and speaking and whether she does it enough and how she should be different. She screams. She screams at the boy, one shout, one blast, just AAAH! No words.

Gloria Don't Speak is the debut novel by Lucy Apps, who was born in East London, works as a GP but has volunteers for many years to support women with learning disabilities.

And it is the January 2026 book from the highly recommended Republic of Consciousness Book of the Month club, which raises funds that support the UKs most exciting annual book prize, the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize, as well as showcasing a collection of books from the vibrant small independent press scene.

This novel is published by Weatherglass Books, co-founded by Neil Griffiths, founder of the Republic of Consciousness Prize, and a highly-skilled editor as well as novelist in his own right - it's striking how almost every Weatherglass Books work the author acknowledges how much their work was polished by Neil, and his co-founder Damian.

The novel is narrated from the perspective of Gloria, a young woman with learning difficulties, and set in a carefully sketched East Ham area, which the reader can recognise from Gloria's descriptions of her surrounds.

It opens in Summer 1999. Gloria has recently left college and has befriended a local man, young but older than Gloria, Jack, who values her company but has issues of his own, angry at the world and a wannabe survivalist, convinced society is about to break down with the coming millennium bug.

It opens:

Jack is talking about the end of the world. Gloria listens. He's on about everything breaking down and burning. His words slide over each other in her head.

She concentrates on the circle of ketchup she's squeezing onto her paper and the way the room smells of vinegar, and the oil that sits on the skin of the chips and shines her fingertips smooth. Jack's house. Jack smiles at her and raises his can then sips from it and nods. Gloria looks down at the light gleaming on the red circle of ketchup. It's Monday afternoon in July. It's summer and she's finished college and they haven't had Christmas yet.

Jack eats his chips like he's angry with the air in front of him. He picks up his can and takes swigs and puts it down again. He keeps on doing the same motion. He don't just hold it in his hand. Gloria copies him with her Coke, picking it up and drinking then putting it down, her fingers all cold and wet from the tin.

'Want a beer?' Jack says.
Gloria don't speak.
'You can't be a kid all your life, Jack says.
Wanna beer wanna beer wanna beer.

She plays Jack's words over in her head, finding the rhythm. She rocks a little in time to the sound. Inside her mouth she runs her tongue over her teeth. She can feel her tongue on the inside of her cheeks and the hard dips and jags of her molars. Her teeth are warm from chips and sweet from ketchup. She don't want a beer. Jack has handed her his drink before and told her to take a sip. It was bitter and like metal. Not sweet.

The 'don't' in the title and this passage a clever tic the narration uses throughout to represent Gloria's perspective ('ain't' used similarly if less often).

The novel's pivotal scene takes part on the day of the solar eclipse (August 11th 1999), which catches Gloria by surprise in the park, where she has persuaded an edgy Jack to go for a walk. When it is over:

Jack wipes his eyes, rubs at them. 'Fucking mental innit', he says. 'See how quick things can happen? And then it's like they never happened. Proper mad innit, Gloria?’

But heading back to his flat, Jack is involved in an act of violence, one that happens quickly, but which, in strong contrast, has severe lingering consequences - for Jack a long spell in prison, and Gloria something which haunts her for the years, even decades.

The novel follows the aftermath for Gloria into New Year's Eve - where rather to her bemusement Jack's (and the IT contractor industry's!) apocalyptic predictions fail to materialise and through into 2021 when she is asked to testify against Jack - unsurprisingly to the reader Gloria Don't Speak - and then becomes obsessed with his victim's family.

The novel then takes us many years forward to 2017 - Gloria no longer lives with her mother but in social supported care. She hears suggestions Jack may have been released from prison, and on Guy Fawkes night, on the way to the display in Wanstead, she absconds from her carers and is involved in another act of violence - leading to a brilliant and moving scene of an interview with the police, that to Gloria blends with that from the early 2000s. And a coda set in 2019 gives us a more upbeat view of Gloria's state of mind.

Gloria Don't Speak deservedly featured in the Observer's prestiguous Best Debut Novelists of 2026 list, one which in past year's has augured prize success, and I'd love to see the same for this book.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody says Why don't you speak or Do you speak or You should speak more or Can't you speak? Even this boy with his hat on his face. Even Jack says You don't talk much. She's mad. She's so mad and tired of everyone talking about words and speaking and whether she does it enough and how she should be different. She screams. She screams at the boy, one shout, one blast, just AAAH! No words.

 
Longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction

This book was featured in the 2026 version of the influential and frequently literary-prize-prescient annual Observer Best Debut Novelist feature
 
The accompanying article explaining how the author (whose younger brother Peter won the Orwell Prize for Political Writing for his account of the failings that lead to the Grenfell Tower tragedy) was informed in her writing about the main protagonist – a young woman with learning difficulties – by her day job as a GP and her volunteer work, and how she decided to capture the voice in a close third person narrative.
 
The novel opens in 1999 – Gloria has left college and is facing something of an uncertain future – spending much of her time walking around parks by herself in her (and the author’s) local area of Newham, East London and there she encounters and is befriended by a slightly older young man Jack – who lives on his own in a small flat.
 
Gloria as the title implies is close to non-verbal and when listening tends to focus on rhythm and sound (and physical experience) – and this is captured (in my view) brilliantly in the text, so for example
 

Want a beer?' Jack says.
Gloria don't speak.
'You can't be a kid all your life, Jack says.
Wanna beer wanna beer wanna beer.

She plays Jack's words over in her head, finding the rhythm. She rocks a little in time to the sound. Inside her mouth she runs her tongue over her teeth. She can feel her tongue on the inside of her cheeks and the hard dips and jags of her molars.
Her teeth are warm from chips and sweet from ketchup. She don't want a beer. Jack has handed her his drink before and told her to take a sip. It was bitter and like metal. Not sweet.

 
And this works well with Jack on one level as it gives him space to air his views – for example on the inevitable Millenium bug collapse of society for which (at least in his mind) he is preparing.
 
Jack’s relationship with Gloria (one of the very few things she hides from her protective mother) is non-sexual but there is an undercurrent (and more) of physical threat and Jack himself admits that he is easily wound up and prone to violent outbursts – and this culminates in an incident which leaves Jack in prison.
 
In a 2001 section we start with Gloria’s reluctance (or effectively inability) to testify at Jack’s trial – but her appearance there does give her a brief contact with the family of Jack’s victim – and from there she becomes obsessed with effectively stalking them – trying to come to terms with what she witnessed.
 
The final part of the book takes place some 16 years later on 5 November 2017– Gloria by now living in some form of supported-housing near her mother is told, without proof that Jack has been released and absconds on an accompanied trip to the fireworks (to the consternation of her carers) and finds herself back in a police station but this time being interviewed about a potential act of her own (this triggering a confluence in her mind with the police’s 2000 enquiries into, in effect, whether Jack’s
relationship with her was abusive) – before in a 2019 epilogue she finally gets a form of closure.
 
I have to say that I was very impressed with this novel – really well crafted (and edited) and a memorable protagonist with an empathetic presentation of a voice that I have rarely seen captured in literary fiction. Look out for this on prize lists.
 
My thanks to Neil Griffiths at Weatherglass for an ARC.

[Jamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woman’s Prize Longlisted and, I hope, Booker.

Lucy Apps’s Gloria Don’t Speak is a thoughtful and quietly moving novel that follows the life of Gloria, a young woman with a learning disability growing up in east London. The story begins in the late 1990s when Gloria, recently out of college, spends her days wandering local parks and neighbourhood streets, observing the small rhythms of everyday life. Her world is narrow but carefully drawn, shaped by routine, familiar places, and the occasional moments of connection she finds along the way.

One afternoon Gloria meets Jack, a man who at first seems pleased to have someone willing to listen to him. Their unlikely friendship becomes an important part of Gloria’s life, offering the companionship she has long been missing. As the novel moves forward in time, the consequences of that relationship unfold and Gloria’s life continues across the following decades as she navigates supported housing, friendships, and the quiet challenges of everyday independence.

The novel is told through Gloria’s perspective, and Lucy Apps captures her voice with great sensitivity. The writing is simple and direct, but carefully tuned to the way Gloria notices details in the world around her. Through this perspective, ordinary places—a park bench, a bus ride, a walk through the neighbourhood—take on a vivid sense of presence.

What makes the book stand out is its compassion. Gloria’s hopes are modest but deeply human: companionship, stability, and a sense of belonging. Apps treats her character with patience and respect, allowing her life to unfold in small but meaningful moments.

Gloria Don’t Speak is an understated and empathetic novel that offers a fresh perspective and a memorable central character. It is a reflective, humane story that stays with you after the final pages.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was incredibly grateful to be offered a slot on the book tour by @weatherglassbooks @kellydpike. This book sounded brilliant.

This is a debut novel which explores the vulnerabilities of a young woman with learning difficulties. The book is unflinchingly difficult to read at times, addressing uncomfortable truths about vulnerability, loneliness and manipulation. The narration from the FMC was brilliantly done, showing the world from her POV brilliantly. The writing is fantastic. Character development is good, and, when reading, I wanted to jump in a protect the FMC. I could see the ‘friend’ she had made was not going to be a good one. Although, at times, we could see their friendship had some merit, ultimately, it was two lost souls on the edges of society looking in - there, but not included; both lacking guidance (for different reasons).

I think this book raises important questions and shines a light on issues rarely covered in fiction. It was quite a difficult read, which, whilst it highlights important issues, I hope it doesn’t encourage people to falsely assume all people living with additional needs will encounter the same hardships and prejudices. As a trained SENDCO and Primary School teacher, I know support for vulnerable children and their families is, nationally, at a crisis point. With funding cuts and important roles disappearing within this sector (in education, community roles and within the NHS) this sort of book, with these themes/ topics, needs to be out there and need to be discussed.

I believe this author has worked in this field and volunteers working with vulnerable women. I look forward to reading more about this author and reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you again for my place on the tour. AD/ PR: GIFTED.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book instantly appealed to me because the story focuses on a young girl, just out of college, who has learning difficulties.

 

This character resonates with me because I not only know children like Gloria, but I also have a son who, although is in a different situation - not learning difficulties - but a condition that will cause him issues navigating the world as an adult and so I knew that this read would be a bit of an emotional one for me.

 

Gloria is pretty much non-verbal and definitely views the world differently to her peers. But when she meets Jack knew day while walking the larks, they strike up an unlikely friendship.

Jack has his own troubles and when things escalate one day - he and Gloria find themselves suffering the consequences.

 

Given Gloria's character, it was easy to empathise with her in a way. Although I've not been there myself, I've had to think about and plan for a future for my own children, that could look something like this.

 

Viewing the world differently makes Gloria extremely vulnerable to this who don't understand her or those who would take advantage of her difficulties and this was shown beautifully in this book.

 

I loved that we follow the story over a number of years and this allows us to see how the incident didn't just affect those involved at the time, but it highlighted the consequences and lasting effects - even decades later.

 

This was beautifully written with characters that will stay in your heart long after reading.

Definitely an emotional read for me and one that I'd recommend to everyone - in the hope of spreading a little more understanding of those who are different.

 

 

 

 



 

[Lindsay Andros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gloria is a young woman with an intellectual disability. Recently graduated from school, she has no friends and nothing to do except hang out with her new friend, Jack, as they wander through the town’s many parks and eateries. But one day, Jack gets angry, and does something violent. Nearly two decades later, Jack is out of prison and back in town, and Gloria’s world is thrown into turmoil.

I found this novel to be a moving, accurate portrayal of the lasting effects of trauma and the ways in which it can affect the behaviors of those who experience it. Although the first-person protagonist is disabled, I think that anyone who has been involved with traumatic incidents will be able to see themselves in Gloria and her responses. While Gloria is not someone who speaks frequently as a result of her disability, it is difficult to express the thoughts and emotions that go along with experiencing events like this; in that way, I think this novel works on both a literal and metaphorical level. It is a unique perspective for a difficult topic, and one that I think should be read widely. I’ll definitely be thinking about this one for a while.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars - A wonderfully atmospheric and compelling debut novel told from a fresh perspective. The story is told from Gloria's perspective. She is nineteen at the start of the story, mostly nonverbal, has a significant learning disability, and gets overwhelmed by too much noise or stimulation. Gloria's single mom works during the day, so Gloria is left to walk around her neighborhood to fill the time. She befriends a man, and it becomes clear that their friendship is not going to lead anywhere good for Gloria.

I found myself fully invested in Gloria's wellbeing early on and was feeling the stress of knowing something terrible could happen at any moment. It was a frustrating reading experience because you want Gloria to make wiser choices and to not put herself in harms way, but you also understand that Gloria does not perceive situations in the same way as the reader. It was such a unique and memorable reading experience, and it felt like I was dropped inside someone's day to day life while I was reading it. I am glad the Women's Prize for Fiction brought this book to my attention.

[Cate Irving · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a beautiful and sad book!

Lucy Apps has such a glorious talent of writing the inner thoughts of Gloria, a girl who will not/cannot speak her mind. yet we, as the reader, are allowed a front row seat to her mind as she struggles to comprehend the world.

it’s so refreshing to read about female characters with learning disabilities in a world where the media constantly misrepresents them or only paints them from a male perspective.

Gloria’s relationship with Jack is so fascinating, you can really feel the safety barrier break around them and the panic in her. also, as their friendship builds to the end we know is coming, you are constantly asking: what is next? it’s interesting to look at the morality of Gloria and what happens in the latter half of the book, whether she is good or bad or if there is no such thing.

for such a short book, it surely packs a punch! so excited to see it long-listed for the Women’s Prize for Fiction this year!

[Inge · Rating 5 out of 5]

First finished book on the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist, and it’s already a winner. I love that we got a novel through the perspective of someone with a learning disability, without the story ever taking away her agency or patronising her. This was written beautifully and thoughtfully. I love how Gloria’s thoughts were included into this; it was never done to appear more sophisticated or literary (sometimes with these perspectives you get the sense the author is patting themselves on the back for how clever their writing is), but solely to accentuate Gloria’s perception of the world. It’s an incredible book about trauma, living with a disability and how different our perspectives all are.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The titular character of Gloria Don’t Speak is a young adult with a learning disability. She spends her days walking from park to park and hanging out with her acquaintance, Jack. It’s a tenuous relationship.

One day commits a crime which lands him in prison and Gloria develops an unhealthy obsession with Jack’s victim.

The novel jumps into the future and Gloria thinks Jack has been released which makes her panic as she’s scared the past will be repeated.

What makes this book so special is the singular voice - albeit mostly silent - and vision of the main character: this is a person, due to her way of thinking is at odds with the world. Author Lucy Apps captures this perfectly.

An excellent novel from the ever consistent Weatherglass books. Highly recommended.

[ssloves books - Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of Gloria who has learning difficulties. Her days are usually the same, walking around and she meets a man Jack who gives her communication and a sense of friendship before things take a sinister turn.

Jack is out of her life but this circumstances of this remain fixed in Gloria’s head. As we move in time we find Gloria’s life has changed, she has moved out of her mum’s is living in supported accommodation which seems to give her some independence. Jack comes back into her and the story takes a turn.

I found being with Gloria so authentic and real, at times we are inside her head and it was a very moving experience. It’s a unique voice in literature and one which I found to be so refreshing.

It’s a beautifully told story with a main character I don’t think will forget.

[Luna_Art]

Hey,

I came across your story recently and really enjoyed reading it. Your writing paints such clear images in the mind, and it made the story feel very cinematic. Because of that, I couldn’t help but imagine how amazing it could look as a webtoon or comic.

I’m a commissioned comic artist, and I’d love to create visuals inspired by your story if that’s something you'd ever be interested in exploring. Absolutely no pressure, I simply wanted to reach out because your story left a great impression on me.

If you'd ever like to chat about the idea, you can reach me on Discord (lunapuresoul) or Instagram (lunaartsoul).

Best regards,
Luna

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think this was going to be my kind of thing but I went with it anyway and before I knew it I was halfway, it's so absorbing. I have personal experience working with people with disabilities and so I felt a love for Gloria. But hers is a character and a story we don't see as protagonists in literature and I think Lucy has done marvellously with it. It's not an easy book to read in terms of subject matter, it is sad and dark and chaotic. It's well well written. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. It's a little slow in places but that's not a biggie and it really was a marvellous read.

[Rachael Critchlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟

An incredible debut and well worthy of its spot on the Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist. Read this in a matter of hours, couldn’t put it down from the very first page.

Gloria Don’t Speak is a beautifully crafted and insightful novel following Gloria, a 19 year old girl navigating life with learning disabilities. It is a heartbreaking story about trauma, vulnerability and the need for human connection.

A book that I will be recommending to everyone. This is a story that needs to be shared with the purpose of spreading far more understanding of those who are a little bit different.

Bravo Lucy Apps 👏

[Xaanua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro interesante que nos narra la historia de una joven de 19 años con una discapacidad cognitiva, que le dificulta el aprendizaje y relacionarse con los demás. Ella conoce a Jack, y se considera afortunada de que alguien como él se fije en ella, y hable con ella, cuando el resto la ignora. Él se pasa el tiempo en bares, pubs. Esa relación acabará convirtiéndose en una relación tóxica, que tendrá un impacto sobre ella. La autora narra la historia usando la tercera persona, pero dejando cierto espacio a la perspectiva de ella: más sencilla, que se fija más en los paisajes y lo que envuelve alrededor. La joven es de pocas palabras, y eso se refleja cuando sus pensamientos se asoman

[K Koop]

Read due to being on the women’s prize for fiction 2026 longlist - what an interesting and odd reading experience. This is an example of how prize nominations “land in your lap” and how you arrive upon books you wouldn’t have otherwise read.

While written in second person, this really puts the reader in the head of the FMC Gloria. I’ve never had an experience quite like it and I’m not sure I will again. Unique, unusual. Hmm. To completely insert yourself into the mind of another, a disabled woman at that. Wow.

[Geraldine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. If I could give this book more than five stars I would. Having grown up with a sister with learning difficulties, albeit nothing like Gloria, this hit home hard. Although written in the third person everything is understood as it is processed through Gloria's own logic. The way she's confused by conflicting information, or by two similar-but-different situations is brilliantly portrayed. I shed many tears after I'd finished and let the entire book sink in. I have personal reasons for these feelings so others might react differently, but I absolutely loved it.

[Aditi · Rating 4 out of 5]

tysm to waterglass books for giving me a copy. making my way through the women's fiction prize and enjoying all the reads so far.

i really liked this book. it packed a lot into such a short book. i've met patients who have faced the exact same situations as Gloria. i understand why this book was shortlisted. this is a story everyone should read

[Sahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. This one touched me deeply and will stay with me for a long long time.

People are lacking empathy for one another right now and it makes me incredibly sad. Everyone should read this book and maybe the next time they encounter someone that’s a little bit different, they’ll find it in their heart to be kind and empathetic. You never know what someone is going through.

[Gogo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. The writings makes you really get into the characters' head and their perspective, and help understand the struggle with communication, emotional regulation and trauma. Getting toe perspective of special need person is new to me and something that I will think about later. interesting story, but for me not having the wow factor that would make me die to keep reading.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows how one small snapshot of trauma can haunt any of us for years through our lives. I really enjoyed this books unique tone of voice. I got to understand Gloria and the way the thinks.

Very greatfull to have received a proof copy of this book, and to have read it before release day!

[Caitlin Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. There was a similar vibe in this book to Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain, with an added layer of being the inner monologue of someone who has disabilities. A really strong voice, especially for a debut.