MY LIFE AS A RAT

Once I'd been Daddy's favourite before something terrible happened. Violet Rue is the baby of the seven Kerrigan children and adores her big brothers. What's more she knows that a family protects its own and to betray the family is unforgiveable, so when she overhears a conversation not meant for her ears, and discovers that her brothers have committed a heinous crime, Violet is torn between her loyalty to her family and her sense of justice. The decision she takes will change her life for ever. Exploring racism, misogyny, community, family, loyalty, sexuality and identity, rape and murder, this is the dark side of American history and 12 year old Violet is cruelly exiled from her family. Joyce Carol Oates writes with a deep-felt rawness and is one of America's most respected literary figures. 415 pages, paperback.