This Is Not a Novel: A poignant story of Ireland, love and loss and the Great War

Jennifer Johnston

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Johnny, an outstanding young swimmer, went missing nearly thirty years ago: drowned, or so everyone except his sister Imogen believes. How could this have happened Encouraged, pushed even, from a child by his father, Johnny could have made the Olympic team, couldn't he As Imogen gradually pieces together bits of her family history, we hear the tragic echoes that connect her with the Great War and Ireland in the nineteen-twenties.

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Jennifer Johnston

Jennifer Johnston

Jennifer Johnston, who died in 2025, was one of the foremost Irish writers of her generation. She won the Whitbread Prize (THE OLD JEST), the Evening Standard Best First Novel Award (for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS), the Yorkshire Post Award, Best Book of the Year (twice, for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS and HOW MANY MILES TO BABYLON?). She was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize with SHADOWS ON OUR SKIN.

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