Finding Soutbek

Book excerpt: The focal point of the novel is the small town of Soutbek. Its troubles, hardships and corruption, but also its kindness, strong community and friendships, are introduced to us in a series of stories about intriguingly interlinked relationships. Contemporary Soutbek is still a divided town - the upper town destitute, and the lower town rich, largely ignorant - and Finding Soutbek is a novel about the real conditions that shape the lives of ordinary, marginalised people. Karen Jennings's focus on the quiet but necessary heroism of the poor and disadvantaged makes her work universal.