Furious Thing 12+

About this book

From the critically acclaimed author of Before I Die comes a remarkably affecting story of a girl who burns with anger for reasons she can't understand, and the power and risk that comes with making noise. Fans of E. Lockhart, Jennifer Niven, and Gayle Foreman will find their own fury in this exceptional novel for our times.

Lexi's angry. And it's getting worse.

If only she could stop losing her temper and behave herself, her stepfather would accept her, her mom would love her like she used to, and her stepbrother would declare his crushing desire to spend the rest of his life with her. She wants these things so badly, she's determined to swallow her anger and make her family proud.But pushing fury down doesn't make it disappear. Instead, it simmers below the surface waiting to erupt . . . And there'll be fireworks when it does.

From the bestselling and award-winning author of Before I Die, You Against Me, and Unbecoming comes a remarkably affecting story that explores the myriad of ways a girl's sense of self can be whittled away, and what might happen when she fights back.

Reviews

Praise for Furious Thing

"A painfully enthralling, fiercely feminist account of emotional abuse and appropriate rage." - The Guardian

"Piercingly well-observed." - Financial Times

"A wise, gripping and skilfully told story... It gives permission to rage when fury is warranted." - Sunday Times

"One of the best YAs I have EVER READ. Full of feminist righteousness, this is a book I wish I had read when I was 16." - The Bookseller

"The sort of YA that the industry should be aiming for." - Minerva Reads

"It shows how we all have the power to protect ourselves, to stand together, to stand for what's right if we embrace our anger and fury, and refuse to let despair and sadness win." - Happiful Magazine


Praise for Unbecoming:

A Stonewall Honor Book

Entertainment Weekly Must List pick

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

A Bookpage Best Teen Book of the Year

Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize

Shortlisted for The People's Book Prize

An iBooks Best Book of the Month pick

"[A] beautiful, funny, and heart-breaking story of family and life itself." -- Bustle

* "Her prose gets right down inside human fragility, tenderness, fury, gusto, and strength -- leaving sweet, sharp images that are impossible to forget. Exceptional." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Downham's third novel offers implicit commentary on the historical and contemporary constraints on young women's lives and their freedom to love with abandon." -- Horn Book, starred review

* "Extraordinary." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "A strong choice for thoughtful readers." -- School Library Journal, starred review

"Fluid, perfectly paced, and can be easily read in one sitting. This is a heartfelt book that sensitively and honestly reveals family issues, and it's one that teens won't want to miss." -- Bookpage, Teen Top Pick

"This beautiful rumination on the relationships between mothers and daughters should be on every woman's reading list." -- Buzzfeed