Today here’s a short reading from Ava Anna Ada. The book is narrated by three narrators: Ava, Anna, and a collective voice, only named We.
Ava, a teenage sex worker has lived her entire life on The Spit, a small outpost of land sandwiched between Scotland and England. Largely forgotten by the powers that be, The Spit suddenly finds itself the centre of interest when a large wave is forecast to hit it. Deluged by The Watchers, all keen to get the first picture of The Wave, Ava has a profitable time. But when influencer Anna and doctor Leo relocate to The Spit, Anna’s screen perfect life is thrown into disarray. As the uncanny heat intensifies, faces fray and secrets splinter: just what is it Ava really wants?
Ian Rankin said Ava Anna Ada is reminiscent of Iain Banks and early Ian McEwan I was very happy, but reading it back this morning, I can see echoes of Iain Banks for the first time, which is pleasing. I think every Scottish teenager was raised on and traumatised by The Wasp Factory.
Here’s a short extract from the morning Ava first sees Anna outside of the screen. Ava in the audiobook is narrated by Louise Brealey of Sherlock fame, she does a much better job than I can! And I don’t sound that Scottish, it’s my GCSE drama being put to good use.
Awesome words and reading - making me very excited for the launch at Porty Books next week!