The Penguin Podcast is back! Listen Now
Jaded

Jaded

Summary

She did everything right. So why did it go so wrong?


'I loved Jade. Rooting for her felt like rooting for myself.’ Real reader review


'It really is one of the most moving books I’ve ever read and far easier to read than a book this deep should be, thanks to the authors beautiful writing.' Real reader review


'Jade was the perfect main character. I loved reading her story … I urge everyone to read this’ Real reader review



Jade isn't even my real name. Jade began as my Starbucks name, because all children of immigrants have a Starbucks name.


-----


Jade has become everything she ever wanted to be.


Successful lawyer. Dutiful daughter. Beloved girlfriend. Loyal friend.

Until one night, something terrible happens after a work event, and she starts to wonder if she really wants to be the person she’s become.


She’s learned to laugh when she’s felt like crying, opted to be invisible when she wanted to speak up and changed her identity to please people. But now Jade has to make a decision for herself. The question is, which is the right one?


This searing novel explores the strength we find in female friendship, the hope that lights up the dark moments and recovery that’s far from linear, and will leave you asking yourself: what would you have done in Jade’s situation?


‘Ela Lee is a remarkable new voice in fiction ... JADED made me laugh, cry and really bloody furious’ Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars


'JADED is a thoughtful, hard-hitting exploration of race, identity, and the rippling effects of sexual assault. Ela Lee writes with an urgency and clarity that will have you hooked until the last page.' Cecile Pin, Women's Prize longlisted author of Wandering Souls


'This raw, dark novel explores racism, class and sexism and you'll want to savour every word on every page' Refinery 29


'A raw, compulsive and nuanced novel' i newspaper

Reviews

  • Ela Lee is a remarkable new voice in fiction. I tore through JADED – it made me laugh, cry and really bloody furious
    Stacey Halls

About the author

Ela Lee

Ela Lee was born in 1995 and is a British-Korean-Turkish writer. She studied Law at the University of Oxford and went on to practise as a City lawyer. In 2021, during the global pandemic, Ela began work on her debut novel, JADED, which explores themes of consent, race, and identity. She lives in London, with her partner and their mini Aussie Shepherd.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more