Yrsa Daley-Ward

The Terrible
- Yrsa Daley-Ward
**WINNER of the 2019 PEN Ackerley Prize**

'A major literary talent . . . speaks about the power and powerlessness that young women are subject to in a wholly fresh, clear-eyed way . . . you'll find it hard to come away from The Terrible without a stab of recognition in your chest' Stylist

'You may not run away from the thing that you are
because it comes and comes and comes as sure as you breathe.'

This is the story of Yrsa Daley-Ward, and all the things that happened - 'even the Terrible Things (and God, there were Terrible Things)'. It's about her childhood in the north-west of England with her beautiful, careworn mother and her little brother who sees things written in the stars.

It's also about growing up and discovering the power and fear of sexuality, about pitch grey days of pills and powder: going under, losing yourself, and finding your voice.

'Yrsa's work is like holding the truth in your hands' Florence Welch

bone

Yrsa Daley-Ward

/content/dam/prh/articles/adults/2019/march/Penguin_IWD2019_ReadingList_ArticleCard.jpg

Recommendations

60 must-read books by women, as chosen by our readers

Known for her large online presence and talks at global speaking events including TEDx, Yrsa Daley-Ward is a writer, actor and model of Jamaican and Nigerian heritage. Yrsa was raised by her devout Seventh Day Adventist grandparents in the small town of Chorley in the North of England and now lives and works in New York. In her writing, Yrsa tackles issues dealing with all parts of the human condition, particularly those 'we don't tend to speak of': issues of social awareness such as mental health, sexuality, love, grief and addiction. 'If you are afraid to write it, that's a good sign.' She is best known for her debut collection bone (2017) and her critically acclaimed poetic memoir The Terrible (2018), both published by Penguin Books. Instagram/Twitter: @YrsaDaleyWard