Praise for The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus:
”Undeniably delicious . . . . A tantalizing yet quietly touching debut about inheritance, emerging sexuality and what it truly means to come into one’s own.”
—The New York Times
”A witty novel about navigating independence and complicated relationships.”
—People
“An amazingly accomplished debut.”
—Oprah Daily
“An ode to womanhood, motherhood and female friendship.”
—USA Today
“A sensitive coming-of-age story combined with a handsome setting, [Knight’s] novel feels as fresh as daybreak on the moors. . . thoroughly charming and heartfelt.”
—Bookreporter
“The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is a spellbinding debut about friendship, motherhood, first love, and the choices that bind us. Emma Knight whisks us away to Scotland, where Penelope Winters navigates her first year at Edinburgh University while untangling a family mystery. I couldn’t put it down!”
—Carley Fortune, #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Summer Will Be Different and Meet Me at the Lake
“Brimming with heart, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is a story about parents and children, friends and lovers, and that moment when a young person must strike out on her own to claim the life she most wants. Emma Knight swept me off my feet.”
—Jenny Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Pineapple Street
“Whip smart, unrestrainedly fun, and bursting with heart. . . A novel about finding ourselves, falling in love, and meeting that precious group of friends whom we call family. . . Joyous, clever, and wholly transportive.”
—Katy Hays, New York Times bestselling author of The Cloisters
“Charm on every page. . . enthralling. Academia, friendship, young love, and family secrets, this is as smart as it is delicious, as nostalgic as it feels fresh. . . Knight is a blazing new literary talent.”
—Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push
“In her fiction debut, Knight delicately explores the painful and exhilarating experience of growing up, which for Pen includes falling in love for the first time and realizing that her parents are flawed human beings. . . . A lovely and poignant coming-of-age story.”
—Kirkus
“Knight’s gorgeously intimate, cleverly insightful wordsmithing will certainly impress and entertain.”
—Booklist
“Memorable characters, witty moments, Scottish settings… Emma Knight’s debut novel has it all. . . . A powerful tale about love, life, choices and friendship.”
—Woman’s World
“Wonderfully crafted, Emma Knight’s story of friendship, family secrets and first love made me nostalgic about the act of reading itself. Mystery, intrigue, posh Scots and academia, it’s a book to lose yourself in. Pro tip: carry it around the house, like I did, for maximum snatched read-time. A beautifully written, page-turning delight!”
—Fran Littlewood, New York Times bestselling author of Amazing Grace Adams
“Sally Rooney fans, take note! Emma Knight’s witty, wistful debut will keep you up all night, pondering the mystery and romance at its core, and rooting for Knight’s irresistible heroine. I loved it.”
—Joanna Rakoff, international bestselling author of My Salinger Year
“Addictive, nostalgic and comforting, this layered family mystery crept round my heart like a modern-day Dodie Smith.”
—Claire Daverley, international bestselling author of Talking at Night
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