What Red Was

Paperback Published on: 20/08/2020
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Synopsis

'An urgent story told beautifully' - Dolly Alderton
'Gripping, unflinching and elegant' - Sophie Mackintosh

A powerful, unforgettable story about modern love, privilege and a young woman's journey after her life falls apart.

******

When Kate meets Max in the first week of university, a life-changing friendship begins. Over the next four years, the two become inseparable. But loving Max means knowing his family: the wealthy Rippons, all generosity, social ease and quiet repression.

Theirs is not Kate's world, and yet she finds herself drawn quickly into their gilded lives, and the secrets that lie beneath. Until one summer evening at the Rippons' home, just after graduation, her life is shattered in a bedroom while a party goes on downstairs.

******

An Observer Hottest-Tipped Debut Novelist and Elle One To Watch

'Unforgettable...subversive and sophisticated' Elle

'Outstanding...brilliantly told' Observer

'A writer with a voice as fresh as new paint... Beautiful' The Times

'One of the most powerful debuts you'll ever read' Stylist

'Scorching and original' Sunday Times, Style

'Dazzling... Enthralling' Alexandra Kleeman

'Unputdownable... A powerful and haunting tale' Independent

'If you like David Nicholls, Elizabeth Day, Donna Tartt...it's exceptional' Pandora Sykes

'Compelling... Price's prose glimmers' Mail on Sunday

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Vintage Publishing
  • ISBN: 9781529110784
  • Number of pages: 384
  • Dimensions: 198 x 130 x 23 mm
  • Weight: 271g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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What Red Was
Powerful
Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy that I picked up at the Vintage Event in Newcastle last month. I had the pleasure of hearing Rosie s... READ MORE
Fiona Sharp
What Red Was
Hard and brutal
Kate and Max have the closest of platonic friendships; inseparable, Kate accompanies Max to his family home where a terrible violation by one of his cousin... READ MORE
Lucy Williams
What Red Was
Moving and Honest
I found this book a (sometimes uncomfortably) honest, unflinching portrayal of life being turned upside down. This really rang true and was also a stunning... READ MORE
Hannah Sim
What Red Was
Adds to the #Metoo movement
The start of this book reminded me of Brideshead Revisited. Kate Quaile starts university and makes friends with the charismatic Max who comes from a wealt... READ MORE
Tracey McHardy
What Red Was
Very Modern and a Great Read
I have been waiting for What Red Was to be published for weeks and I had to read it immediately when it was released. I cannot describe how much I loved th... READ MORE
Unsal at Richmond
What Red Was
Brave debut
Harrowing read which doesn’t balk at the reality of rape and its aftermath. At times the book rambles a bit but an important issues explored bravely. Wel... READ MORE
Linda@{Livingston]
What Red Was
One Day meets #MeToo. I loved this novel.
Searing, relevant and beautifully judged. There is so much here to admire I hardly know where to start. The characters are so impeccably drawn it feels ... READ MORE
Melanie Fraser
What Red Was
A powerful study of a trauma
This is a study of trauma and its consequences reverberating throughout the life of young girl and those around her. It begins as a story of two young peop... READ MORE
Dabarai
What Red Was
Analysis of sexual violence and class
This book is firstly an exploration of the life changing effects of a rape as well as an analysis of society, class and privilege. Kate Quaile and Max Rip... READ MORE
Ormondebooks
What Red Was
Rosie Price - What Red Was
It is their first week at university when Max and Kate realise not only that they live on the same floor but that they are soul mates. They can hardly be s... READ MORE
miss.mesmerized
What Red Was
Worth a read
I really enjoyed this book. It follows the platonic friendship of Kate and Max who meet at university. Kate becomes linked with Max’s family but when she ... READ MORE
Alex Cadoux
What Red Was
Important, but lacking
Thank you to VINTAGE and NetGalley for an e-copy of this title. I really liked the premise of What Red Was, but the execution was somewhat clumsy. It was ... READ MORE
Sarah
What Red Was
What Red Was
This is a very unflinching and well written book which I think handled its subject matter well. I would have liked more focus on Kate and less on the Ripp... READ MORE
MEGAN LAVERY
What Red Was
Excellent
Fantastic book by a talented author. Offers insight into the total and brutal effects of trauma on life and relationships - I would recommend to others.
Amy Bond
What Red Was
Powerful Novel
What Price Red is a powerful novel dealing with the harrowing subject of sexual assault. When Kate from a single parent family meets Max Rippon from a wea... READ MORE
Steve Taylor