Mongrel

An exquisite debut novel weaving together the voices of three young women in Japan and the UK as the threads of their lives twist and entangle in unexpected ways

'A brilliant explosion of writing and storytelling . . . This feels like reading an Oscar-winning film' - Aisling Bea

'Heart-shatteringly visceral and precise . . . a triumphant tribute to the self' - Wiz Wharton

'This compulsive, engrossing, and gorgeous debut will utterly consume you. Read it now' - stephanie Scott

Mei loses her Japanese mother at age six. Growing up in suburban Surrey, she yearns to fit in, suppressing both her heritage and her growing love for her best friend Fran.

Yuki leaves the Japanese countryside to pursue her dream of becoming a concert violinist in London. Lonely and far from home, she finds herself caught up in the charms of her older teacher.

Haruka attempts to navigate Tokyo's nightlife and all of its many vices, working as a hostess in seedy bars. She grieves a mother who hid so many secrets from her, until finally one of those secrets comes to light . . .

Shifting between three intertwining narratives, Mongrel reveals a tangled web of isolation, desire, love, and ultimately, hope.

About the Author

Hanako Footman is a British-Japanese actor and author living in London. Mongrel is her debut novel.