Shy Creatures A Novel

"Clare Chambers is an author to read, enjoy, and watch out for. A worthy descendant of Barbara Pym, with her own intentions and style, Chambers is crafting straightforward narrative that's old-fashioned in the best, fad-defying way. Sometimes, it's daring to be quiet." - Washington Independent Review of Books

"[A] life-affirming, ultimately joy-filled and soul-satisfying novel. Clare Chambers is a gifted wordsmith whose Shy Creatures shimmers, glows and charms as its secrets, lies and mysteries are deftly revealed. This exceptional novel is perfect for book clubs. Fans of writers of character-driven books such as Helen Simonson, Frederik Backman, Jacqueline Winspear, Sir Alexander McCall Smith, Monica Wood, and many more might very well embrace this novel with evangelistic fervor."

"Gripping...penetrates the secret hopes and passionate inner lives of ordinary working people. The characters provoke so much empathy, readers may have trouble remembering that they're fictional." - Booklist on Small Pleasures

"There's compassion and quiet humour to be found in this tale of a putative virgin birth in postwar suburban London... Chambers's eye for drab, undemonstrative details achieves a Larkin-esque lucidity... The postwar suburban milieu of Chambers's work has drawn comparisons to Barbara Pym, although perhaps a closer parallel could be made with Anita Brookner, with whom she shares an interest in intelligent, isolated women destabilised by the effects of an unexpected and unsustainable love affair." - Alfred Hickling, Guardian (UK), on Small Pleasures

"I loved this novel, which simmers with repressed emotions, and the gut punch of an ending really stayed with me." - Jo Finney, Good Housekeeping Book of the Month, on Small Pleasures

"Small Pleasures is a tender and heart-rending tale that will draw you in from the first page and keep you gripped until the very end. Exquisitely compelling!" - Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things

"A beautiful story of unfolding secrets and unforeseen consequences, filled with moments that are somehow restrained and astute and gorgeously written all at the same time." - Holly Gramazio, author of The Husbands

"Infinitely moving, quirky, acutely observed and beautifully written...Confirms Clare Chambers as one of our most talented writers. - The Guardian

"With wit and dry humor...quietly affecting in unexpected ways. Chambers' language is beautiful, achieving what only the most skilled writers can: big pleasure wrought from small details." - New York Times on Small Pleasures