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Ootlin

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( 706 ratings, 109 reviews)
Brief Description
I phenomenal memoir. I am in awe AMY LIPTROT WINNER OF THE GORDON BURN PRIZE 2025 Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non Fiction 2025 Ootlin is proof that there is part of Fagan that is always whole, tapped into the cosmos, looking towards the light... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

I phenomenal memoir. I am in awe AMY LIPTROT

WINNER OF THE GORDON BURN PRIZE 2025

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non Fiction 2025

Ootlin is proof that there is part of Fagan that is always whole, tapped into the cosmos, looking towards the light Times Literary Supplement

A poetic work, impressionistically evoking harrowing and joyous experiences alike I Paper

Stunning and powerful Scots Magazine

The government told a story about me before I was born.

Jenni Fagan was property of the state before birth. She drew her first breath in care and by the age of seven, she had lived in fourteen different homes and had her name changed multiple times.

Twenty years after her first attempt to write this powerful memoir, Jenni is finally ready to share her account. Ootlin is a journey through the broken UK care system - it is one of displacement and exclusion, but also of the power of storytelling. It is about the very human act of making meaning from adversity.

Beautiful, deep, transfixing ... it will burn a home in your heart Lemn Sissay

Essential reading, life-changing Samantha Morton

Should be required reading Claire Fuller

A book that made me want to reach through the pages and help Douglas Stuart

An astonishing piece of work Niall Griffiths

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804942130

Publisher: Cornerstone

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 August 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin (Cornerstone)

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 35.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 500g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Jenni Fagan was born in Scotland. Jenni was selected as one of Granta's Best Young British Novelists after the publication of her debut novel, The Panopticon, which was shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and the James Tait Black Prize. The Sunlight Pilgrims, her second novel, was shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Encore Award and the Saltire Fiction Book of the Year Award and saw her win Scottish Author of the Year at the Herald Culture Awards. Luckenbooth was shortlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize 2021. Jenni Fagan is a Doctor of Philosophy, she lives in Edinburgh with her son.

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  • Ootlin
    'A phenomenal memoir. I am in awe' - AMY LIPTROT SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE 2025 'Beautiful, deep, transfixing . . . it will burn a home in your heart' - LEMN SISSAY 'Essential reading, life-changing' - SAMANTHA MORTON 'An astonishing piece of work' - NIALL GRIFFITHS The government told a story about me before I was born. Jenni...
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