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When Anna and Sadie discover the diaries of their mother, Rebecca, in the days following her death, they learn that her life was far more complex than either of them knew: a garment worker in early-1900s New York; the reluctant wife in an arranged marriage to an ailing and abusive husband; the improbable friend of a pregnant prostitute.
But the diaries reveal more than just surprising details about Rebecca’s life: they also point to a family secret - and questions about Sadie’s true parentage.
The Featherbed is a gripping family saga that moves between the tenements of New York’s Lower East Side and the stately homes of Toronto’s Annex. Strong in plot, character, setting, and style, it is a fully-realised debut from an assured writer.
— Bill Gladstone
"This is a strong, well written and researched debut."
"This is an old-fashioned tale, blending traditional storytelling with a deftly updated erotic candour."
"an absorbing first novel, surprisingly mature and well-constructedthis is a book to pay attention to."
"a compelling story, hauntingly written."
"an entertaining book that provides an intimate look at family relationships."
John Miller's articles on culture and politics have appeared in Fuse Magazine and in Xtra! He has a BA from McGill University and an MA from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. Though a frequent visitor to New York, he lives in Toronto. The Featherbed is his first novel.