The Gingerbread House

Nestled among cherry trees in a picturesque country garden, the Gingerbread House resembles an illustration from an old-world storybook. But beware! For in the fairy-tale, that’s where the witch lives…

Away from the city, with no distractions, the Gingerbread House seems like the perfect place to start work on a novel. That’s what former advertising copywriter Tess thinks when she goes there to live with Eleanor, her aged mother-in-law. But Eleanor is suffering from dementia, and caring for her proves tougher than Tess could ever have imagined: feeling increasingly isolated, her only comfort is wine o’clock and weekend visits from her husband. Meanwhile her teenage daughter Katia is helpless to intercede; in the end she can only watch as things fall apart and a tragedy even closer to home surfaces.

The Gingerbread House is a deeply moving novel: a compassionate and occasionally wickedly funny tale of a family’s agonising struggle with dementia.

Reviews

“Kate Beaufoy’s novel approaches this sensitive subject is a moving and honest way – giving a heartbreaking insight into an illness that touches the lives of many.” – Closer Magazine

“Gripping yet darkly comic, this taboo-tackling novel hits hard … with a final heart-rending twist” – Sunday Post

“Darkly funny” – Woman’s Own

“Moving, honest, and darkly comic, The Gingerbread House confronts an issue that has been taboo for too long.”  – Marian Keyes

“Beautiful, heartbreaking, original, honest, unique.” – Cecelia Ahern

“Gripping, heartbreaking, funny, surprising – The Gingerbread House is all of these, and a lot more.” – Roddy Doyle

“By turns moving, empowering, gritty and hilarious, this is a perfectly formed novel that was a joy to read.” – Liz Nugent

“This small, exquisite and moving story of dementia has huge heart…It is as powerful and poignant as it gets. Beaufoy has addressed a difficult subject but has done it with grace…there is beauty to be found amongst the desperation. A stunning and sensual read, which may just break even the hardest of hearts. Highly recommended.” – Sunday Independent

“The subject of dementia is a grim enough one, but Beaufoy infuses it with a lightness of touch that makes it sympathetic. She also expresses her romantic side in a manner that is fanciful but also pleasing and affecting.” – Irish Times