{"product_id":"the-cactus-9781473660632","title":"The Cactus","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSOON TO BE A NETFLIX ORIGINAL STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e''\u003c\/i\u003eI found myself laughing out loud at Susan''s prickly character'' Reese Witherspoon\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE \u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES \u003c\/i\u003eBESTSELLER  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eA RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeople aren''t sure what to make of Susan Green. \u003c\/b\u003eFamily and colleagues find her prickly and hard to understand - but Susan makes perfect sense to herself. Age 45, she thinks her life is perfect. She has a London flat which is ideal for one; a steady job that suits her passion for logic; and a personal arrangement providing cultural and other, more intimate, benefits. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYet suddenly faced with the loss of her mother and, implausibly, with the possibility of becoming a mother herself, Susan''s greatest fear is being realised: she is losing control. And things can only get worse ... at least in Su\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Cactus \u003c\/i\u003ewill be compared to Gail Honeyman's \u003ci\u003eEleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine\u003c\/i\u003e...there is \u003cb\u003eterrible poignancy\u003c\/b\u003e -- Patricia Nicol * The Sunday Times *\u003cbr\u003eLegal battles, lapses of logic and the joys and fears of motherhood are explored in this \u003cb\u003eastute, funny and moving\u003c\/b\u003e novel of \u003cb\u003ea woman learning how to let go\u003c\/b\u003e * Daily Mail *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuirky, poignant and extremely readable\u003c\/b\u003e * Sunday Mirror *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA brilliantly comic novel \u003c\/b\u003eabout the flawed, controlling and utterly endearing Susan, who, while engaging in a family feud with her feckless brother, embarks unwittingly on \u003cb\u003ea journey of personal enlightenment\u003c\/b\u003e * The Lady *\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eFunny, compelling, well-written\u003c\/b\u003e...for fans of Marian Keyes who demand a bit of grit in their comic writing' * Emerald Street *\u003cbr\u003eFans of \u003ci\u003eEleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine \u003c\/i\u003ewill love \u003ci\u003eThe Cactus \u003c\/i\u003e... \u003cb\u003ewonderfully funny and astute\u003c\/b\u003e -- Sarra Manning * Red *\u003cbr\u003eThis book is \u003cb\u003echarming\u003c\/b\u003e and easy to read, \u003cb\u003ethe perfect tonic to this absurdly grey February\u003c\/b\u003e * The Pool *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRead it if you loved \u003ci\u003eEleanor Oliphant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e * Best *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn ideal read for fans of \u003ci\u003eEleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e * Closer *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe trend for \"up lit\" continues to make its mark\u003c\/b\u003e, in titles including Sarah Haywood's debut \u003ci\u003eThe Cactus \u003c\/i\u003e(rigid, lonely-but-doesn't-realise woman in her 40s falls pregnant and is forced to make connections; great cover) -- Alison Flood * The Bookseller *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHilarious and endearing\u003c\/b\u003e ... anchored by the \u003cb\u003esplendid\u003c\/b\u003e character of Susan * Publisher's Weekly *\u003cbr\u003eAn \u003cb\u003eoriginal, engaging and totally believable character\u003c\/b\u003e -- Graeme Simsion\u003cbr\u003eSusan Green is an independent and endearingly prickly woman whose life is spiralling out of control. \u003cb\u003eYou're gonna love her.\u003c\/b\u003e * Marie Claire AUS *\u003cbr\u003eIf, like me, you never stopped to think what \u003cb\u003ea child born of \u003ci\u003eThe Rosie Project\u003c\/i\u003e's Don Tillman and Bridget Jones\u003c\/b\u003e might be like, there's one way to find out. Read Sarah Haywood's \u003ci\u003eThe Cactus\u003c\/i\u003e. Meet Susan Green. She doesn't understand how funny she is, which is \u003cb\u003edelicious\u003c\/b\u003e. * Julia Claiborne Johnson, author of BE FRANK WITH ME *\u003cbr\u003eEqual parts \u003cb\u003eintelligent\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003efunny \u003c\/b\u003eand \u003cb\u003edevastating\u003c\/b\u003e, Haywood breathes life into an unlikely heroine in \u003cb\u003ea bold, emotionally-charged debut\u003c\/b\u003e. * Phaedra Patrick, author of THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGlorious\u003c\/b\u003e...it twists and turns through human nature wonderfully. Like \u003ci\u003eEleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe Rosie Project\u003c\/i\u003e ... a book you just want to read at any opportunity. * Kat Brown *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeartfelt and funny\u003c\/b\u003e, this big-hearted debut will delight fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Rosie Project. \u003c\/i\u003e * Book Riot *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003ejoyful, funny and very insightful\u003c\/b\u003e story. Incredibly well written and wonderfully imagined. \u003cb\u003eEffortlessly entertaining\u003c\/b\u003e with captivating observatoins. * Random Things Through My Letterbox *\u003cbr\u003eThere's been a trend for 'difficult' female protagonists ... but set-in-her-ways Susan is difficult in her own \u003cb\u003eunique\u003c\/b\u003e way * Wear and Where *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003eheartfelt\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003echarming \u003c\/b\u003estory of one woman's transition from a solitary, orderly existence to a messy life full of love. * Booklist *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eI adored this book. LOVE LOVE LOVED it.\u003c\/b\u003e * Debbish.com blog *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA warm, witty portrait of a woman finally creating the family she deserves\u003c\/b\u003e * Kirkus Reviews *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003every readable, often funny\u003c\/b\u003e tale of how sometimes we think we have life under control, but really, that's just impossible; it's better to just go with the flow and actually enjoy ourselves along the way. A very useful life lesson. * Books on the 747 blog *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA very compelling and enjoyable read\u003c\/b\u003e * A Ticket to Everywhere blog *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunny, touching and so beautifully written, with a twist that knocks you off your feet\u003c\/b\u003e * Years of Reading Selfishly *\u003cbr\u003eBest cover. \u003cb\u003eKick-ass feminist, quirky story within. \u003c\/b\u003eThe definition of win-win. * Lady Sharon blog *\u003cbr\u003eSusan is \u003cb\u003ea fantastic character\u003c\/b\u003e, who you end up loving deeply by the end * Not Maud Gonne blog *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eI fell in love with the warm, feminist heart of this novel\u003c\/b\u003e * Where the Books Go blog *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarm, uplifting, funny and bittersweet\u003c\/b\u003e * Talking About My Shelf blog *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGloriously funny and poignant\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Cactus \u003c\/i\u003eintroduces us to Susan Green, a 45-year-old woman who's seemingly in-control life begins to unravel in a very messy and, er, \u003ci\u003eprickly \u003c\/i\u003eway. \u003cb\u003eYou will love her.\u003c\/b\u003e * InStyle AUS *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInsightful, funny and incredibly entertaining. \u003c\/b\u003eHaywood has created a character who is both irritating and intriguing in equal measure and I bloody loved her! * A Novel Girl *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWise, witty and introspective\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eThe Cactus \u003c\/i\u003eis a terrific debut that cannot fail to move you ... \u003cb\u003ecandid and warm\u003c\/b\u003e * WHSmith Fresh Talent 2018 *\u003cbr\u003eAn immense pleasure . . . I loved this novel very much * Mrs B's Book Reviews *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRefreshingly different and often unpredictable\u003c\/b\u003e, yet providing enough hope to keep the reader turning pages * Fredericksburg *\u003cbr\u003eHaywood's novel is \u003cb\u003ehumorous \u003c\/b\u003eand reveals the vulnerability of someone who believes she's above all that. It poses the question: do we ever really have control over anything in our lives? * British Weekly *\u003cbr\u003eSarah Haywood's \u003cb\u003echarming, funny, poignant\u003c\/b\u003e debut, \u003ci\u003eThe Cactus\u003c\/i\u003e, is that rare gem, \u003cb\u003ea story of womanhood and motherhood that is never reductive and seldom predictable\u003c\/b\u003e * Yakima Herald *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA brilliant read\u003c\/b\u003e * Snazzy Books *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIf you liked \u003ci\u003eEleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, \u003c\/i\u003ethen you'll love \u003ci\u003eThe Cactus \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eby Sarah Haywood. \u003cb\u003eQuirky, funny, compelling, you can't help but love,\u003c\/b\u003e and cheer for, the main character\u003cb\u003e Susan\u003c\/b\u003e -- Amy Lysette, Deputy Features Editor at Closer and Bella\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA witty tale of a unique and unforgettable woman who is learning to love and be loved. It is a quirky, warm and entertaining read which certainly packs an emotional punch. \u003c\/b\u003e * The Curious Ginger Cat *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrilliantly acerbic . . . told with the wit and intelligence of a modern Jane Austen\u003c\/b\u003e * Linda's Book Bag *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne of the best books I've ever read\u003c\/b\u003e, purely for the main character Susan - one of the best, most likeable, quirky, funny characters in any book I've ever read. I couldn't have been sadder for this book to end. I don't want to give anything away but \u003cb\u003eif you're going through any change in your life, not really sure what you're doing or feel a bit lost, this is the book for you.\u003c\/b\u003e * The Brighton Girl *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eI think everyone recognises a little bit of themselves in Susan\u003c\/b\u003e -- Cari Rosen, author of The Secret Diary of a New Mum * Woman's Hour *\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John Murray Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48739531424087,"sku":"9781473660632","price":9.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781473660632.jpg?v=1723812241","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-cactus-9781473660632","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}