Heather O'Neill Boeken

In a spellbinding tale reminiscent of The Night Circus, two gifted orphans, Pierrot and Rose, fall in love while navigating a world filled with charismatic pianos, invisible dance partners, and an underworld economy based on the price of a kiss. Abandoned in a Montreal orphanage in 1910, their extraordinary talents soon emerge: Pierrot is a piano prodigy, while Rose brings joy with her dancing and comedy. As they perform clown routines around the city, their bond deepens, and they dream of creating an extraordinary circus show. However, their paths diverge as teenagers during the Great Depression, forcing them into the city's underbelly where they grapple with sex, drugs, and theft to survive. Years later, they reunite beneath the snowflakes, reigniting their childhood dreams. Determined to realize their vision, they gather a troupe of clowns and chorus girls, taking New York by storm. Their performances transform both the theater and the underworld, showcasing the power of love and creativity. With her lyrical prose and vividly imagined world, Heather O'Neill weaves a magical narrative that captivates and enchants.

From the bestselling author of The Lonely Hearts Hotel comes a spellbinding tale of two young women whose intense friendship threatens to destroy them and alters the course of history. Marie Antoine, the charismatic daughter of a sugar baron, is the leader of the children in Montreal’s affluent Golden Mile. At twelve, her whimsical charm captivates all until Sadie Arnett, dark-haired and brilliant, moves in. The two girls quickly become inseparable, drawn together by their passion and intensity, igniting a volatile relationship. While Marie revels in the pleasures of life, Sadie is consumed by an obsession with darkness. Their innocent games soon turn dangerous, leading to a forced separation that shapes their teenage years, marked by alternating innocence and depravity. A pivotal event reunites them with devastating consequences. As Marie inherits her father's sugar empire and Sadie delves into the gritty underworld, the working class begins to rise in revolution. Each woman unexpectedly influences the upheaval in their city, leaving the future of their friendship uncertain. This page-turning novel delves into themes of gender, power, desire, class, and the profound strength of the human heart when faced with loss.

Shortlisted for the Women's Fiction Prize, the startling story of a girl who has to bring herself up

Set in a vividly imaginative world, the narrative blends dark humor with poignant themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a unique and dreamlike experience. Heather O'Neill crafts a fable that transcends traditional storytelling, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and creativity that captivates the imagination. This work stands out for its ability to evoke both laughter and reflection, showcasing O'Neill's distinctive voice and vision.