Theresa Smith at the Court of Heaven

Award-winning writer Polly Walshe's latest novel concerns Theresa Smith, 79, and her two feisty daughters. As one reviewer puts it, this is 'a brilliantly observed, wholly plausible, scarily challenging version of our lives not too far from now. Tackling the huge issues of the day with a sparseness and clarity that sweeps you along, caring deeply about the protagonist, and following her perilous journey with your heart in your mouth all the way.'

Theresa lives in Leonard Cohen Court, an upmarket block of retirement flats with an array of upmarket residents. Badly dressed and reluctant to socialize, she craves puzzles, books, daytime TV and chocolate biscuits. She also craves the company of her neighbour, the self-effacing Roger Cusp, but so does nearly everyone else. Theresa's not at home today, however. She's just woken up to find herself stranded on the outskirts of Basingstoke in a so-called Life Enhancement Clinic. What is this place, and what is Life Enhancement exactly? A few days ago she thought she wanted it, or rather that she ought to want it, and everyone around her seemed to think it was a brilliant idea. But thank heavens her granddaughter Poppy’s here by her bed – someone to talk to at least. And any moment now her daughter Abigail will arrive to take her home – won’t she?

Polly Walshe was born in London and has a degree in Classics from Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Her 1997 novel The Latecomer won a Betty Trask Award and her poems have been published in The Spectator. In 2014 she was a runner up in the Cardiff International Poetry Competition. Her favourite novel is Jane Austen's Persuasion. The books she's most enjoyed this year are 'A Life Discarded: 148 Diaries Found in a Skip' by Alexander Masters, and Curtis Sittenfeld's 'Prep'. Apart from writing her main pursuit is painting. She regularly posts on Instagram and she has recently exhibited with Oxford Art Society. She lives in Oxford with her family.

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