It won the McKitterick Prize and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, the Wellcome Book Prize, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book, the Authors’ Club First Novel Award and the Waverton Good Read Award. It was also runner-up for the Mind Book of the Year and a TV Book Club Summer Read.

 This isn’t an ordinary love story. But then Grace isn’t an ordinary girl.

“Disgusting,” said the nurse.

And when no more could be done, they put her away, aged eleven.

On her first day at the Briar Mental Institute, Grace meets Daniel. He sees a different Grace: someone to share secrets and canoodle with, someone to fight for. Debonair Daniel, who can type with his feet, fills Grace’s head with tales from Paris and the world beyond.

This is Grace’s story: her life, its betrayals and triumphs, the disappointment and loss, the taste of freedom; roses, music and tiny scraps of paper. Most of all, it is about the love of a lifetime.

Praise for Grace Williams Says it Loud:

‘Startlingly assured, poetic and engaging – Grace Williams Says It Loud introduces a new voice, one which I have no doubt we will be hearing much more of’ – Patrick McCabe

‘Ingenious . . . exuberant and vivid . . . Grace’s story is a life, like and unlike any other’ – Guardian

‘Energetic, passionate and not easily forgotten’ – Sunday Times

‘Clever . . . unusual . . . astonishing’ – The Times

‘Far more inspiring than a hundred feel-good tomes’ – Independent, Books of the Year

‘Mesmerising . . . an incredible journey through love, loss, bittersweet triumph and disaster’ – Sunday Herald

‘Grace’s romance with Daniel, a “debonair” epileptic, is tender and convincing; the limber, musical prose peppered with brilliant descriptions’ – Independent on Sunday