"The profound tragedy of Aberfan is handled with such grace, the reader cannot help but respond to its underlying message of hope and redemption. Incredibly moving. Exquisitely crafted." -- Bonnie Garmus
I LOVE IT! An incredible story with beautiful, elegant writing. A Terrible Kindness is utterly and completely brilliant. -- Joanna Cannon
I think it's really extraordinary. Brilliant writing, completely fresh and unique, moving, elegant, memorable. I loved it! -- Sophie Hannah
I was drawn into William's world right from the first page, just as I was drawn into the honest beauty of Jo Browning Wroe's writing. It's a long time since I've read a debut novel that moved me so much. -- Rachel Joyce
Jo Browning Wroe's elegant prose holds us that we might bear witness to that which would otherwise crush the human spirit. I adored it. -- Ingrid Persaud
A Terrible Kindness is a tender, beautiful story about an embalmer at the time of Aberfan. -- Anne Griffin
This is a brave and tender novel, which truthfully exposes life's shadows whilst dwelling in the beauty of its light. A truly lovely book. -- Joanna Glen
The character of William Lavery is beautifully drawn in the context of Aberfan's great tragedy. Browning Wroe's novel speaks of things vital in our time too; the power of community, empathy and selflessness in the face of loss and trauma. A Terrible Kindness is a wonderful debut. -- Jess Kidd
I loved this novel. It is quiet and explosive at the same time, building to a crescendo of pain and beauty that took my breath away. Brava! -- Miranda Cowley Heller
An incredibly moving and powerful book. Full of love, compassion, and brimming with humanity. A truly gorgeous piece of storytelling that will stay with me for a long time. Absolutely stunning -- Fí Scarlett
Jo Browning Wroe's delicate, elegant debut will break your heart into pieces and then gently put it back together as hope, compassion and the power of community carefully repair the hurt... moving. - Psychologies
A beautifully written story... moving, uplifting. - Prima
Almost from the first pages of this moving read, I was felled by the big emotions it brought on. - Good Housekeeping
Moving... We were consumed by this story of healing and hope. - Woman & Home
Genuinely one of the greatest books I have ever read. -- Omid Djalili
An incredibly moving story of hope and redemption - 'Incredibly moving. Exquisitely crafted' Bonnie Garmus. An instant Sunday Times Bestseller.
About the Author
Jo Browning Wroe grew up in a crematorium in Birmingham. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and teaches at the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education on their Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing Her debut novel, A Terrible Kindness, was a Sunday Times bestseller shortlisted for the Bridport Peggy Chapman-Andrews award, and longlisted for the Prix du Roman Fnac. She has two adult daughters and lives with her husband in Cambridge.