Absolutely & Forever by Rose Tremain

192 pages; Published by Chatto & Windus - 21.09.23; Dimensions: 14.4 x 2.2 x 22.2cm

Mesmerising. I absolutely loved this novella and read in one sitting.

For a short book it certainly packs a punch. I was hooked from the first to the very last page. This is a powerful coming of age story.

Tremain has a way with language that the reader can just be immersed in. She is brilliant at setting the scene.

I am always attracted to cute looking hardback novellas. I found the cover design for Absolutely & Forever quite different to other Rose Tremain books I have read.

The jacket of this hardback kept well to the book. It is a very smooth cover with our protagonist lying side on, in a black and white photograph, as would befitting the era the narrative is set.

I found the jagged bright colours framing and surrounding the image a little chaotic which again fits well with the narrative. Unfortunately this cover is one of those that pick up finger prints, which I find niggles me a bit.

The hardback itself is black with both front and back inside cover being red.

The typeset is 11.4 / 16.25pt Palatino LT Pro by Jouve. The pages feel very soft.