Jan Carson Knihy

Belfast, im Sommer 2014. Überall in der Stadt entfachen Protestanten riesige Freudenfeuer zu Ehren des englischen Königs William von Oranien, der einst das katholische Irland besiegte. Die Lage eskaliert, als ein Video viral geht, in dem ein maskierter »Firestarter« dazu aufruft, die Stadt in Schutt und Asche zu legen. Sammy Agnew ahnt, dass sein Sohn Mark dahintersteckt, denn er kennt die Faszination zerstörerischer Gewalt aus der eigenen Jugend. Längst hat er dem Hass abgeschworen, aber er spürt, dass er nie völlig davon loskommen wird. Soll er seinen Sohn an die Polizei ausliefern, um zu vermeiden, dass die Situation vollends aus dem Ruder läuft? Verzweifelt bittet er den Arzt Jonathan Murray um Rat. Der jedoch befindet sich selbst in einer fatalen Lage. Er fürchtet, seine Tochter könnte allein mit ihrer Stimme Leben zerstören … Mit »Firestarter« hat Jan Carson einen außergewöhnlichen Roman über Nordirland geschrieben, humorvoll und bewegend, schonungslos und doch voller Magie. Aber sie erzählt auch eine universelle Geschichte über Selbstbehauptung und Verantwortung – in einer Welt, die einmal mehr zu entgleisen droht.

Agatha Christie-obsessed Alma faces her toughest case yet as she tries to help them all find what they've lost. With trademark wit and playfulness, in this stunning linked short-story collection Jan Carson explores complex family dynamics, ageing, immigration, gender politics, the decline of the Church and the legacy of the Troubles.

When several children from the same village start succumbing to a mysterious illness, the quest to discover the cause has devastating and extraordinary consequences. It is late June in Ballylack. Hannah Adger anticipates eight long weeks' reprieve from school, but when her classmate Ross succumbs to a violent and mysterious illness, it marks the beginning of a summer like no other.As others fall ill, questions about what - or who - is responsible pitch the village into conflict and fearful disarray. Hannah is haunted by guilt as she remains healthy while her friends are struck down. Isolated and afraid, she prays for help. Elsewhere in the village, tempers simmer, panic escalates and long-buried secrets threaten to emerge

Dr Jonathan Murray fears his new-born daughter might not be as harmless as she seems. Sammy Agnew is wrestling with his dark past, and fears the violence in his blood lurks in his son, too. The city is in flames and the authorities are losing control. As matters fall into frenzy, and as the lines between fantasy and truth, right and wrong, begin to blur, who will these two fathers choose to protect? Dark, propulsive and thrillingly original, this tale of fierce familial love and sacrifice fizzes with magic and wonder.

A collection of short stories focusing on life in post-conflict Northern Ireland

Newly commissioned short stories that explore and represent the lives of those living with dementia, unique in its diversity, depth and breadth of the dementia experience.

'Jan Carson is a born storyteller: her work is so imaginative, whimsical, mischievous and brave, but tender and curious too -- you never know where she's going to take you next, so reading her is always an adventure. Exactly how it should be.' LISA MCINERNEY, author of THE GLORIOUS HERESIES ------ In sixteen sparkling stories, Jan Carson introduces us to worlds and characters that feel real enough to touch. All of life is here: the thrill of growing up, the grief when youth is over; first love, mature love, parenthood and loss - all shot through with profound compassion, warm wit, and boundless imagination. In 'A Certain Degree of Ownership', a distracted couple on a beach fail to notice their baby crawl perilously towards the sea. In 'Troubling the Water', a rumour spreads at a public swimming pool and chaos ensues. In 'Fair Play' a dishevelled father loses his two sons in an adventure park. Every so often, an irresistible suggestion of the other world will surprise and delight, reaffirming Carson as a thrillingly original and audacious talent, and making Quickly, While They Still Have Horses the perfect introduction for readers new to her work.