We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

Rosemary Cooke, our introspective and unique protagonist, navigates the labyrinth of her past and present. Once a talkative child, Rosemary now remains strikingly silent about certain parts of her life. Her childhood was anything but ordinary; she grew up with Fern, her ‘whirlwind other half.’ Yet, Fern disappeared under mysterious and troubling circumstances, a loss that haunts Rosemary deeply. Equally distressing is the prolonged absence of her older brother Lowell, who disappeared ten years prior.

When she reaches college, Rosemary is compelled to confront her past. She realises that to move forward, she must revisit the pivotal moment in her childhood when, at the age of five, she was sent to live with her grandparents. Upon returning home, Fern had vanished, leaving Rosemary with a hollow sense of loss and many unanswered questions.

As Rosemary delves deeper into her memories, she uncovers the startling truth about her parents' role in these life-altering events. What begins as a distrust in her parents' decisions slowly unfolds into a deeper understanding of the complexities of family and the irrevocable effects of their choices.

Fowler’s storytelling weaves together wit, empathy, and psychological insight, making We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves both a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching read. The novel deftly addresses themes of identity, the ethics of scientific experimentation, and the bonds that define us. With its surprising twists and deeply human narratives, it’s no wonder this book has garnered acclaim and a vast readership.

"Wise, provocative and wildly endearing" - Guardian
"Readably juicy and surreptitiously smart" - Barbara Kingsolver
THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is a poignant exploration of what it means to be a family, the love we hold for those we’ve lost, and the inexorable journey to uncovering the truth buried within our own hearts.