A review by chirson
Burntcoat by Sarah Hall

4.0

The intense focus on the body and art reminded me of Jeanette Winterson somewhat, although this is obviously not a lesbian novel. It communicates its themes very clearly and even somewhat unsubtly (the disease which burns its sufferers from the inside, the burning of wood from the outside that makes it stronger, the mother and daughter going through life in bodies that carry seeds of their destruction) but well, nonetheless. I found it unputdownable and occasionally beautifully poignant but perhaps it didn't floor me as much as I'd expected - still, a worthy read.