Title: Ha-Ha Author: Jennifer Dawson ISBN: 9781668088562 Publisher: Scribner Published: 2025 Binding: Paperback Language: English Number of Pages: 192 Condition Note: New from the publisher Publisher Description: A prizewinning, semi-autobiographical debut novel that explores a young woman's struggle with mental illness at Oxford University in the 1950s--for readers of Ottessa Moshfegh, Melissa Broder, and Sally Rooney. "I wanted the knack of existing. I did not know the rules." These words from Josephine, the heroine of Jennifer Dawson's remarkable novel, encapsulate the journey of a young woman grappling with mental illness amidst the hallowed halls of Oxford University in the 1950s. Originally published in 1961, this novel was met with critical acclaim, and is a rediscovered classic perfect for fans of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. During her first year at university, Josephine experiences a breakdown following the death of her overbearing but beloved mother. She's confined to a psychiatric institution, where she encounters the harsh forms of treatment offered at that time. Amidst the turmoil, she finds an unexpected connection with Alasdair, a fellow patient, igniting a journey towards recovery. Praised as "luminous" by The New York Times and "a singular, elegant novel" by The Guardian, and with a new introduction by Milk Fed author Melissa Broder, The Ha-Ha offers a moving and fresh perspective on struggles with mental health and the process of self-discovery.
