The Rules of Inheritance - Softcover

A mesmerising memoir... a brilliant debut (Marie Claire)

The writing is extraordinary....you only need to read a few chapters of this memoir to see why Hollywood came calling (Jennifer Lawrence is to star in the movie) (Glamour)

It is a stunningly honest account: heart-breaking, life-affirming and bruisingly insightful. (The Sunday Times)

A heartbreaking coming-of-age story (Sunday Times Culture)

Intense and affecting (The Observer)

In this astonishing debut, Claire Bidwell Smith, an only child, is just fourteen years old when both of her charismatic parents are diagnosed with cancer. What follows is a coming-of-age story that is both heartbreaking and exhilarating. As Claire hurtles towards loss she throws herself at anything she thinks might help her cope with the weight of this harsh reality: boys, alcohol, traveling, and the anonymity of cities like New York and Los Angeles. By the time she is twenty-five years old they are both gone and Claire is very much alone in the world. Claire's story is less of a tragic tale and more of a remarkable lesson on how to overcome some of life's greatest hardships. Written with suspense and style, and bursting with love and adventure, The Rules of Inheritance vividly captures the deep grief and surprising light of a young woman forging ahead on a journey of loss that humbled, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.