Madwoman (Hardback) - Chelsea Bieker

Brave, hilarious and full of surprising twists, Madwoman is a story of violence, recovery, and Clove's refusal to be defined by her worst experiences.

'Darkly funny, heart-smashing, and absolutely unforgettable, Madwoman is a masterpiece.' Rachel Yoder, author of Nightbitch

CLOVE HAS SPENT YEARS BUILDING THE PERFECT LIFE. IT'S ABOUT TO COME CRASHING DOWN.

To the outside world, Clove has it all. But then a letter arrives from a women's prison in California - a letter that threatens to expose the secrets of a past she has worked so hard to hide. Thanks to her lies, Clove has the life of her dreams, complete with a kind, reliable husband, two adorable children and a stable family home.

So what, if silencing the memories of her own abusive childhood means racking up a little credit card debt or obsessing about her wellness routine? Nothing to see here. But secret past and insta-perfect present are about to collide thanks to her mother's unwelcome return, and soon Clove becomes caught up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the very people she thought she had outrun.

Brave, hilarious and full of surprising twists, Madwoman is a story about violence, recovery, and Clove's refusal to be defined by her worst experiences.

'A truly stunning read - this is my book of the year.' Ella Berman

A Time Magazine 'Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2024'

About the Author

Chelsea Bieker is the author of the debut novel Godshot and the story collection Heartbroke, which was an NPR Best Book of the Year. Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, The Cut, McSweeney's, and elsewhere. She is the recipient of a Rona Jaffe Writers' Award, as well as residencies at MacDowell and Tin House. Originally from California's Central valley, she lives in Portland, Oregon with her family.