Private Rites

Private Rites by Julia Armfield, the bestselling author of Our Wives Under the Sea, is a hauntingly beautiful novel that delves deep into the complexities of queer love, faith, and family ties in a world teetering on the brink of apocalyptic change.

The world has been reshaped by incessant rain, submerging the old landscapes and bringing ancient rituals and forgotten religions back to life. In this transfigured environment where the earth is perpetually drenched, sisters Isla, Irene, and Agnes reunite after a long estrangement following the death of their reclusive father, a famed architect whose designs have shaped the new world. Though renowned for his contributions, he retreated from the public eye years ago, leaving his daughters to grapple with an ambiguous legacy and the unresolved mystery of their mother's disappearance.

When they gather to clear out their father's grand glass house—a striking embodiment of his architectural genius—they each begin to feel the overwhelming presence of his influence still lingering within its walls. As they navigate their grief and the strange occurrences that unfold, the sisters realise they have been drawn together for a purpose that could unravel their family's secrets and expose darker truths about their world and themselves. This tale of reconnection and revelation is one of heart-rending intensity and suspense.

Armfield's prose has garnered widespread acclaim for its brilliance and emotional depth. The Guardian praises it as 'Brilliantly audacious,' while Dazed hails it as 'Stunning.' Eliza Clark notes, 'Her prose sparkles.' The narrative is both evocative and grounded, pulling readers into a chilling yet relatable future. The novel's visceral imagery and nuanced character portrayals cement Julia Armfield as an era-defining writer.

With reviews calling it 'hauntingly good' (iNews), 'a must-read' (Glamour), and 'brilliant, original' (Kaliane Bradley), Private Rites promises to be a compelling addition to contemporary fiction. As Paul Tremblay remarks, it’s 'Ballard-ian in apocalyptic scope … Deeply, passionately, messily human.' Each page beautifully combines Armfield's deadpan wit, evocative narrative technique, and profound emotional insights, with Tom Benn beautifully summarising, 'Every page guillotines you with its wisdom.'