Why do we hold on to things we don't need? "A beautifully assured debut that is part love story, part psychological slow-burner" (Emma Jane Unsworth, international bestselling author of Animals). Miriam is twenty-nine; temping, living with a flatmate who is no longer a friend, and still trying to find her place in life. To move forward, she decides to dispose of the many possessions that anchor her in the past. When Erik, an artist and photographer in his mid-forties, hires Miriam to help clear out his book-filled, paper-packed home, she begins to feel drawn to him, despite his obsessive hoarding and the fact that he's still haunted by his previous marriage. But can there be a happy ending for the troubled pair? This powerful, moving novel explores the unlikely relationship between two very different people-and explores deep questions about fear, freedom, and attachment. "Weaves its way through the cracks of our everyday perceptions to skilfully explore complex issues around illness, grief and longing. . . . Combining exquisite descriptions with scalpel-sharp human insights, this is a book to languish in, and emerge from deeply moved. It marks the arrival of an elegant and thrilling new voice in literary fiction." -Emma Jane Unsworth "A simply riveting and unfailingly entertaining read." -Midwest Book Review "A strong debut novel." -The Manchester Review