Heather O'Neill's writing uniquely blends the fantastic with the everyday, vividly transforming the gritty streets of Montreal into a realm of beauty and wonder. Through her rich and imaginative metaphors, she elevates mundane objects, such as a stray cat or a secondhand coat, imbuing them with an otherworldly quality. Her bestselling novels, including Lullabies for Little Criminals and The Girl Who Was Saturday Night, showcase her ability to find magic in the most ordinary aspects of life.
"From the bestselling author of The Lonely Hearts Hotel, a spellbinding story about two young women whose friendship is so intense it not only threatens to destroy them, it changes the course of history Marie Antoine is the charismatic, spoiled daughter of a sugar baron. At age twelve, with her pile of blond curls and unparalleled sense of whimsy, she’s the leader of all the children in the Golden Mile, the affluent strip of nineteenth-century Montreal where powerful families live. Until one day in 1873, when Sadie Arnett, dark-haired, sly and brilliant, moves to the neighbourhood. Marie and Sadie are immediately inseparable. United by their passion and intensity, they attract and repel each other in ways that set them both on fire. Marie, with her bubbly charm, sees all the pleasure of the world, whereas Sadie’s obsession with darkness is all-consuming. Soon, their childlike games take on the thrill of danger and then become deadly. Forced to separate, the girls spend their teenage years engaging in acts of alternating innocence and depravity, until a singular event unites them once more, with devastating effects. After Marie inherits her father’s sugar empire and Sadie disappears into the city’s gritty underworld, the working class begins to foment a revolution. Each woman will play an unexpected role in the events that upend their city—the only question is whether they will find each other once more. From the beloved Giller Prize-shortlisted author who writes “like a sort of demented angel with an uncanny knack for metaphor” (Toronto Star), When We Lost Our Heads is a page-turning novel that explores gender and power, sex and desire, class and status, and the terrifying strength of the human heart when it can’t let someone go."-- Provided by publisher
Shortlisted for the Women's Fiction Prize, the startling story of a girl who has to bring herself up
A novel about childhood damage and the redemptive power of art from an author twice listed for the Women's Prize and the Giller Prize
An enchanting story of twins, fame, and heartache by the much-praised author of Lullabies for Little Criminals.
Compared to Angela Carter, original and bewitching short stories based on fairytales and World War Two, by the Women's Prize-shortlisted author
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.
Wry and witty stories of unconventional mentors show the foundation of O'Neill's writing life.