{"title":"Sophie Mackintosh","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the captivating world of Sophie Mackintosh, an author acclaimed for her unique storytelling and evocative prose. With a distinctive voice in contemporary literature, Mackintosh explores themes of dystopia, identity, and human emotions. Her works are a blend of haunting atmospheres and profound insights, making them a must-read for lovers of thought-provoking fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIncluded in this collection is \u003cem\u003eAt the Pond\u003c\/em\u003e, within the Arts \u0026amp; Culture category, where Mackintosh contributes her literary flair to a collective exploration of the Hampstead Ladies’ Pond. \u003cem\u003eBlue Ticket\u003c\/em\u003e, classified under General Fiction, is a compelling narrative that examines themes of choice, freedom, and womanhood in a dystopian setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother remarkable book in the collection, \u003cem\u003eCursed Bread\u003c\/em\u003e, falls under General Fiction and delivers a gripping tale about obsession and the darker sides of human nature. Finally, \u003cem\u003eThe Water Cure\u003c\/em\u003e, also part of the General Fiction category, introduces readers to a chilling and beautifully crafted dystopian world, exploring the dynamics of sisterhood and survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSophie Mackintosh’s works are characterised by her lyrical and precise language, inviting readers to engage deeply with the unsettling yet mesmerising worlds she creates. Whether you are new to her novels or a long-time fan, you're sure to find these stories both intriguing and unforgettable.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"at-the-pond","title":"At the Pond","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAt the Pond\u003c\/i\u003e invites readers into the tranquil yet vibrant world of the Kenwood Ladies' Bathing Pond, an oasis of natural beauty nestled on the outskirts of Hampstead Heath. This anthology weaves together a rich tapestry of personal recollections and historical musings, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of women who have found solace and camaraderie in these serene waters over generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTucked away along a shaded path towards the north-east edge of Hampstead Heath, a solitary sign reading \"Women Only\" leads to the Kenwood Ladies' Bathing Pond. Officially opened to the public in 1925, it stands as the UK's singular wild swimming spot exclusively reserved for women. The pond's history stretches back centuries, as part of a chain of ponds feeding the River Fleet, flowing silently beneath the bustling streets of London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEsther Freud, Margaret Drabble, Sophie Mackintosh, and a cohort of esteemed writers delve into their personal connections with this timeless sanctuary. They recount swimming in the pond's green, silty, and silky waters, evoking the magical charm of its unplumbed depths, where moor hens, dragonflies, and waterlilies flourish under the shelter of overhanging willows. Floating rings and rafts dot the surface, offering spaces for contemplation and joy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn a sweltering summer's day, the scene at the pond brims with energy as thousands of swimmers, aged from eight to eighty-odd, line up to plunge into its refreshing embrace before basking in the adjacent sun-dappled meadow. Even as the seasons turn and the temperatures drop, the pond remains a cherished haven for steadfast regulars. These hardy swimmers brave the chill of winter waters, continuing a ritual of connection and renewal that has spanned decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe narratives in \u003ci\u003eAt the Pond\u003c\/i\u003e elegantly intertwine personal reminiscence with reflections on the history and enduring allure of the Kenwood Ladies' Bathing Pond. Witness the transformation of this extraordinary place through the seasons and over the years, as seen through the eyes and experiences of those who hold it dear. This collection captures the spirit of a hidden gem, celebrating its role as a sanctuary for women and a testament to the lasting power of nature and community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45706108141804,"sku":"9781911547396","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781911547396.jpg?v=1725883107"},{"product_id":"blue-ticket-by-sophie-mackintosh-9780241986691","title":"Blue Ticket","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA devastating and euphoric road trip novel about desire, choice and the meaning of free will, from the Man Booker-longlisted author of \u003cem\u003eThe Water Cure\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCalla knows how the lottery works. Everyone does. On the day of your first bleed, you report to the station to learn what kind of woman you will be. A white ticket grants you children. A blue ticket grants you freedom. You are relieved of the terrible burden of choice. And, once you've taken your ticket, there is no going back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut what if the life you're given is the wrong one?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBlue Ticket\u003c\/em\u003e is a devastating enquiry into free will and the fraught space of motherhood. Bold and chilling, it pushes beneath the skin of female identity and patriarchal violence, to the point where human longing meets our animal bodies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46494528209132,"sku":"9780241986691","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3580453482274.jpg?v=1748457062"},{"product_id":"cursed-bread-by-sophie-mackintosh-9780241993903","title":"Cursed Bread","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the Booker-nominated author of \u003cem\u003eThe Water Cure\u003c\/em\u003e - an eerie historical mystery about desire, memory and madness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAudacious and mesmerising, \u003cem\u003eCursed Bread\u003c\/em\u003e is a darkly erotic tale of a town gripped by madness, envy like poison in the blood, and desire that burns and consumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eElodie is the baker's wife—plain and unremarkable but desperate to escape her dull, small-town life. One day, a charismatic new couple appear in the neighbourhood, and Elodie quickly falls under their spell. All summer long, she stalks them through the shining streets—inviting herself into their home, eavesdropping on their conversations, longing to possess them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, beneath the tranquil surface of daily life, strange things are happening. The animals expire in the fields, ghosts are sighted after dark, the local children grow erratic and violent. A dark intoxication is spreading through the town, and when Elodie finally understands her role in it, it will be too late to stop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46494634213612,"sku":"9780241993903","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3652573482274.jpg?v=1748459316"},{"product_id":"the-water-cure-by-sophie-mackintosh-9780241983010","title":"The Water Cure","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dreamlike and compulsive feminist dystopia for the #metoo generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou are a girl. Your body is vulnerable. Men will break it if they can - and out there, they absolutely can.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSuffering will prepare you for the worst. The cure is nothing compared to what you've been spared in the sickness. It takes a lot of love to hurt you like this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow, come outside. It's time to play the drowning game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Water Cure\u003c\/em\u003e by Sophie Mackintosh invites you into a haunting world where the boundaries between love and pain are disturbingly blurred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46496419905772,"sku":"9780241983010","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3543643482274.jpg?v=1748498763"},{"product_id":"permanence-by-sophie-mackintosh-9780241776315","title":"Permanence","description":"Stylish and sumptuously romantic, charged with emotional electricity - this is the story of an affair...\n\nClara and Francis are in love - but nobody knows it. For months they have been slipping away from their respective lives, sharing sweet, stolen afternoons in anonymous hotel rooms. Until one day they wake up in a bedroom neither of them recognises with no memory of how they got there.\n\nThey find themselves in a strange, impossible city- a place populated entirely by adulterers. Here they can at last live openly as a couple, without fear of consequence, putting the theory of their love into practice. Here the sky is painted over the old town square in changeless, cloudless blue. Ripe fruits wait on their kitchen table each morning and the sunset comes down in a blaze of pink each night. And contact with the real world is impossible. As long as Clara and Francis are here, they only have each other.\n\nHow do you know when you've found true love? How much would you sacrifice to keep hold of it? And how long can you stay in paradise before the cracks start to show?","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47288703058156,"sku":"9780241776315","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/51e5b50a04f64382e66f9a960fcf1e5d.jpg?v=1770605500"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/sophie-mackintosh.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}