Read an extract from Cloth Girl.

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Reviews of Cloth Girl

‘A personal favorite of mine. Shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, it is a delightful tale of the African Gold Coast in the 1940s as it moves towards independence, but particularly of two women, one black, one white, and what Africa means to each. A lovely read.’ The Bookseller’s Paperback Preview

‘A vivid and assured first novel… warm, moving, delightful.’ The Times

‘This unusual tale of the colonial experience hits the spot.’ The Guardian

“What I liked best were the characterisations.” Of Matilda, “I thought she was beautifully drawn… you caught the tragedy of ignorance and wilfulness… beautifully carried through.” Novelist Will Self on the BBC Live Book Club

‘This is a charming optimistic tale of two women emancipating themselves against the background of a country emerging from colonial domination.’ Historical Novels Review

‘This is a promising debut novel from Heward Mills.’ The FT Magazine

‘Against a backdrop of thoroughly flawed and subsequently thoroughly likeable characters, Cloth Girl is a delightfully insightful and entertaining novel.’ The Works

‘Written with fluency and confidence, this is an impressive debut.’ The New Statesman

‘What makes it remarkable are its scope and bold ambition…This is a debut novel of substance that movingly captures the meaning of loss and the cost of gain.’ Scotland on Sunday

‘Isn’t it great when someone recommends something to you and it turns out to be a cracker. And so it is with this hugely entertaining debut.’ The Nottingham Evening Post

‘Cloth Girl has the sights and smell of the Gold Coast (now Ghana) on the brink of independence leaping off the pages in Marilyn Heward Mills’s stunning debut’ Pride

Shortlisted for the Costa Awards Debut Novel of the Year