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The Night Alphabet

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The Night Alphabet

By: Joelle Taylor
Narrated by: Joelle Taylor
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About this listen

Composed of interconnecting stories, The Night Alphabet is a mesmerising blend of memoir, fiction and poetry, from one of the most talented literary stylists writing today.

The tattoo was a reclamation, a flag we mounted in the centre of our own landscape.

A woman walks into a tattoo parlour. But this is no ordinary woman, and this is Hackney in 2233. Jones' body is covered in tattoos but she wants to add one final inking to her gallery - a thin line of ink mixed with blood that connects her body art together, creating a unique map.

As the two artists set to work, Jones tells them the story behind each tattoo. As Jones is no ordinary woman, these are no ordinary stories: each one represents a doorway to a life Jones fell into, a 'remembering'. Some of these lives were in the past, others in the future, some are sideways, but each of them connects Jones to the two tattoo artists in some way, though they are unaware of it.

We visit the dystopian cities of the Quiet Men, the coal mines of 19th century Lancashire, join a gang of vigilante sex workers, enter the world of an INCEL murderer, haunt the old Maryville gay bar, and uncover plans to genetically modify female children. Each of the stories brings us closer to Jones' truth, and how her life is intricately interwoven with that of the women tattooing her body.

Set across geographies and timespans, The Night Alphabet is a dazzlingly bold and original work, a deep investigation into human nature and violence against women.

©2024 Joelle Taylor (P)2024 Quercus Editions Limited
Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Magical Realism Fantasy Magic

Critic reviews

The Night Alphabet is a glorious jewel of a novel, rich with language and story, that glows in your mind's eye long after you have set it down. Taylor manages to combine her vivid poetry with a truly engaging tale of female resilience, an Illustrated Woman for our times. (Sophie Ward, author of Love and Other Thought Experiments)
All stars
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I was completely engrossed from start to finish, a unique, vibrant and fresh story, told beautifully. At times painful to listen to but utterly compelling.

Absolutely outstanding

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Superb writing of imaginative delight, beautifully narrated by Joelle Taylor in her ibimitable style. Highly recommended.

A brilliant listen

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This is the best book I have heard in years. It is a very important book.

Magnificent

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Wow! This is the book I've been waiting for. To have it read by Joelle, is an absolute treat. Wonderful observations of people and humanity: a wake up call, a siren, a signpost with a poignant message. I was hooked from the first chapter. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you!

Sirens and signposts

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I have not felt this way about a book since I was a 20 year old reading Margaret Atwood for the first time. (30 years ago). The mixture of prose and poetry and use of language is beautiful. I found myself re-listening to some sentences three times over just for the joy of them. I’ve heard Joelle Taylor read her poetry (‘the girl who was not allowed to sing’ fills me with hope every time I hear it) so hearing her read her own words with the rhythm she intended is the just a joy.

Sublime!

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