Author Sarah Blakley-Cartwright is set to release her highly anticipated second adult novel, “Heavy Cream”, this autumn. Following her successful debut, “Alice Sadie Celine”, in 2023, the new book is poised to explore complex themes of identity and the influence of maternal figures.
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“Heavy Cream” centres around 16-year-old Geraldine, affectionately known as Gerry. The narrative begins with Gerry’s turbulent life as she travels the roads, living in motels with her mother in a dysfunctional setting. However, the course of her life changes drastically when her mother abandons her, leaving Gerry under the care of three distinctly different women who each have their own vision for her future.
These guardians include Bonnie, her mother’s former roommate; Nell, Gerry’s estranged aunt; and Finley, a socialite who introduces Gerry to the elite circles of Manhattan. According to the book’s synopsis, each of these women aims to shape Gerry “in their image”, reflecting the various influences that women can exert in a young girl’s life.
Blakley-Cartwright spoke about the seed of inspiration for “Heavy Cream,” stating, “I have always been drawn to the question of how a self is formed in the presence, or absence, of a mother.” The author aims to examine the competing models of womanhood that girls encounter, highlighting the gestures, values, and inconsistencies presented by the women who influence them. She notes, “It’s about growing up in the orbit of powerful, imperfect mothers and weighing what to carry forward and what to leave behind.”
The narrative intricately intertwines elements of humour with deeper explorations of mental health and the complexities of love, as it charts Gerry’s unconventional path to establishing her own identity. Described by Simon & Schuster as a “charming comedy of manners,” the book promises to provide readers with not just entertainment but also thoughtful reflection on the intricacies of self-discovery.
The book’s cover, illustrated by Nicolas Party, reflects these thematic elements as well. Blakley-Cartwright elaborates that it portrays women guiding Gerry into a corset, an image that elicits feelings of both care and confinement. She notes that this represents a pivotal moment within the story—a shift from being shaped by external influences to taking ownership of one’s choices and identity.
In addition to “Heavy Cream,” Blakley-Cartwright is known for her 2011 young adult novel, “Red Riding Hood.” Her work often delves into the exploration of identity and familial relationships, and she continues to establish herself as an important voice in contemporary literature.
Scheduled for publication on September 29, “Heavy Cream” is now available for pre-order across various platforms. Readers eager to engage with Blakley-Cartwright’s evolving narrative style can look forward to what promises to be a compelling examination of love, loss, and the multifaceted nature of growing up.
As anticipation builds for the release, fans of the author and new readers alike are encouraged to immerse themselves in this new novel. Through “Heavy Cream,” Blakley-Cartwright offers a reflection on the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, inviting her audience to consider the age-old question of how much of oneself is inherited and how much is a conscious choice.
Ultimately, “Heavy Cream” aims to resonate with anyone navigating the challenges of self-identity amidst external expectations, demonstrating that the journey towards selfhood is filled with both struggles and triumphs.