L'opera di Lisa O'Donnell è caratterizzata da un'esplorazione incisiva della psiche umana e delle intricate dinamiche delle relazioni familiari. La sua prosa spesso approfondisce temi legati all'identità e al confronto con il passato, impiegando un linguaggio evocativo e immagini potenti per creare atmosfere immersive. O'Donnell esplora gli aspetti più oscuri della natura umana, scoprendo al contempo bagliori di speranza e resilienza in mezzo alle avversità. La sua scrittura è acclamata per la sua cruda onestà e la sua capacità di evocare profonde risposte emotive.
In "The Death of Bees," sisters Marnie and Nelly navigate life alone after burying their unloving parents. As they form a makeshift family with their neighbor Lennie, dark secrets emerge, complicating their fragile existence. This grimly comic tale explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the search for belonging.
A young boy on a small Scottish island where everyone knows everything about everyone else, will discover that a secret is a dangerous thing in this tense and brilliant tale of from Lisa O'Donnell, the bestselling author of The Death of Bees, winner of the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize. Eleven-year-old Michael Murray is the best at two things: keepy-uppies and keeping secrets. His family thinks he's too young to hear grown-up stuff, but he listens at doors; it's the only way to find out anything. And Michael's heard a secret, one that might explain the bruises on his mother's face. When the whispers at home and on the street become too loud to ignore, Michael begins to wonder if there is an even bigger secret waiting to be discovered. Scared of what might happen if anyone finds out, and desperate for life to be normal again, Michael sets out to piece together the truth. But he also has to prepare for the upcoming talent show, keep an eye out for Dirty Alice, his arch-nemesis, and avoid eating Granny's watery stew. Closed Doors is a vivid evocation of the fears and freedoms of childhood and a powerful tale of love, the loss of innocence, and the importance of family in difficult times.
WINNER OF THE COMMONWEALTH BOOK PRIZE 2013Today is Christmas Eve. Today is my birthday. Today I am fifteen. Today I buried my parents in the backyard. Nelly enjoys playing the violin, eating cornflakes with Coke and reading Harry Potter. But on Christmas Eve, the sisters have to join forces and put their differences aside.
The narrative invites children to experience the distinct beauty of each season, encouraging them to cherish activities like walking in meadows, enjoying beach days, and making snow angels. Through vivid descriptions, it fosters a sense of appreciation for the unique characteristics of every season while promoting an impartial love for all. This exploration transforms their perception, ensuring they engage with nature's changes in a more meaningful way.