Lost memories, lost times, lost lives - heartbreakingly sad and yet uplifting too, a stunning debut by an Irish writer whose work is reminiscent of Annabel Pitcher and Siobhan Dowd - about a boy and his grandfather, who suffers from Alzheimer's.
'The ghosts in your life don't ever really go away. Every so often they will whisper to you ...
Don't worry about it too much.'
When Cosmo keeps his promise to his granddad to go to Blackbrick, he finds himself in the forgotten corner of a distant past, one that his granddad has, strangely, never really talked about. Here friendships come to life, there are new beginnings, a lifetime of memories and everything is still possible...
An extraordinary debut novel with a fantastic voice. This is compassionate, humorous, moving - and tackles some big questions.
Orion has high expectations for this debut author, and deservedly so. Original and compelling, this is a beautifully written novel about love, loss, history and memory for readers of 10+. Wonderful storytelling. - The Bookseller
Back to Blackbrick tackles one of the great social and medical issues of our time, but does so eloquently, sensitively and with knowing humour. We are the sum of our memories, and Sarah Moore Fitzgerald explores this idea in a unique and compelling way. As well as being a thoroughly enjoyable read, the book could help young people to understand how Alzheimer's takes its toll as the disease becomes increasingly common. - Alzheimer s Research UK
A tear-jerker with lessons in how to live life to the full. - THE SUNDAY TIMES
...a clever, engaging story of a teenager who finds an unexpected way to deal with the gradual disintegration of his grandfather's memories and personality.
- THE GUARDIAN
Sarah Moore Fitzgerald grew up in Dublin but now lives in County Clare, where she's part of the creative writing team at the University of Limerick. She's also director of UL's Creative Writing Winter School and founding member of Writepace, a Limerick-based writing co-operative.
Follow her on Twitter @SMooreFitz