Orange Laughter

by Ross, Leone | Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)
Published 12/02/2026 by FABER & FABER in the United Kingdom
Paperback | 320 pages
128 x 198 x 21mm | 260g

'Powerful.' DAILY TELEGRAPH'[Ross] is a master of detail.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT'A literary rollercoaster.' PEOPLE'Chillingly real . . . unforgettable.' BOOKLISTFrom a singular voice: a gripping and deeply moving story of grief and memory.

1990s New York: Tony Pellar - a man of former style and fading beauty - now lives in the subway tunnels. From this place of darkness, Tony fights for his sanity as his mind overflows with memories of Agatha, a woman he calls the Soul Snatcher.

Following the lost thread of his life story back to 1960s North Carolina, Ross unravels a tangle of hurt and lies with two interconnected tales: that of Mikey, his wealthy childhood best friend, and of Agatha - a complex woman with a heart full of painful secrets.

Orange Laughter is a story of old prejudice and shattered innocence, and a vivid reminder of the importance of storytelling as a way to heal individual and collective memory.

Readers loved Orange Laughter:'Masterful! The ride is intriguing with twists and turns and a huge dose of the unexpected. This novel will enchant, surprise and mystify; but ultimately, it will satisfy.' ?????'A page-turner! I could not put it down, I read it all in one sitting. The author's touch is as beautiful as it is sure. A masterpiece of storytelling. Her characters live. Her prose sings. She is a writer of visions.' ?????