Hermit

'An utter triumph . . . Far and away the best debut novel I've read in a very long time' JOHN NIVEN, author of O BROTHER

'As compelling as doom scrolling' THE HERALD MAGAZINE

'A story of shame, transgression and the distances we will travel in order to feel less alone. I was so moved' ANNIE MACMANUS, author of MOTHER MOTHER

'[An] empathetic novel . . . Masterful' ALICE SLATER, author of DEATH OF A BOOKSELLER

Since dropping out of school three years ago with no qualifications, no pals, and no ambition, Jamie Skelton spends most of his days asleep and most of his nights wanking, playing video games with his online friend, Lee, and occasionally making the journey downstairs to the kitchen for a microwave burger. He hasn't left the house in months, and now he's not sure he can.

Fiona, Jamie's maw, is trying her best, but since finding the courage to kick out her abusive husband her confidence has never recovered. She goes to work every day, but otherwise she's not that different from her son - withdrawn from life, without friends. She knows their lives can't carry on like this, but she's at a loss to know how to change things.

When Fiona tries to get Jamie to apply for a job, he sees her as the cause for all of his problems. Then Lee tells Jamie he's realised there's a name for what they are - incels - and that there's a guy he's met through the forums they can go stay with in London, to get away from their nagging mams.

But in running away from his problems at home, Jamie may actually be running towards something much worse.

Praise for Chris McQueer:

'Charlie Brooker on Buckfast' Martin Compston, Line of Duty

'[McQueer's] talent zings off the page' Guardian

'Impressive' Eric Idle, Monty Python