The Exhibitionist
THE TIMES NOVEL OF THE YEAR
A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF 2022
A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BOOK OF THE YEAR
'It takes the most ferocious intelligence, skill, and a deep reservoir of sadness to write a novel as funny as this. I adored it' - Meg Mason, author of Sorrow & Bliss
'A devastating treat of a novel: funny, furious, dark and delicious' - Sarah Waters, author of Fingersmith
Meet the Hanrahan family, gathering for a momentous weekend as famous artist and notorious egoist Ray Hanrahan prepares for a new exhibition of his art – the first in many decades – and one he is sure will burnish his reputation for good.
His three children will be there: beautiful Leah, always her father’s biggest champion; sensitive Patrick, who has finally decided to strike out on his own; and insecure Jess, the youngest, who has her own momentous decision to make . . .
And what of Lucia, Ray’s steadfast and selfless wife? She is an artist, too, but has always had to put her roles as wife and mother first. What will happen if she decides to change? For Lucia is hiding secrets of her own, and as the weekend unfolds and the exhibition approaches, she must finally make a choice.
The longer the marriage, the harder truth becomes . . .
The Exhibitionist is the extraordinary fifth novel from Charlotte Mendelson, a dazzling exploration of art, sacrifice, toxic family politics, queer desire, and personal freedom.
'Delicious, heartbreaking . . . Fabulously written and utterly compelling' - Marian Keyes, author of Grown-Ups
Charlotte Mendelson’s novel, Almost English, was longlisted for both the Man Booker and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Her other novels include When We Were Bad, which was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction and was a book of the year in the Observer, Guardian, Sunday Times, New Statesman and Spectator; Daughters of Jerusalem, which won both the Somerset Maugham Award and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize; and Love in Idleness.
The Exhibitionist is her fifth novel.