Barter

Sure to be one ofthe most talked-about debut novels of the year, The Barter is a heart-stopping tale as provocative as it issuspenseful, about two conflicted women, separated by one hundred years andbound by an unthinkable sacrifice.The Barter is a ghost story and a love story, ariveting emotional tale that also explores motherhood and work and feminism.Set in present-day Texas, and at the turn of the twentieth century, the novelfollows two young mothers at the turning point of their lives.Bridget has given up her career as an attorney to raise herdaughter, joining a cadre of stay-at-home mothers seeking fulfillment in aquiet suburb. But for Bridget, some crucial part of the exchange is absent:something she loves and needs. And now a terrifying presence has entered herhome-only nobody but Bridget can feel it.On a farm in 1902, a young city bride takes a farmerhusband. The marriage bed will become both crucible and anvil as Rebecca firstallows, then negates, the powerful erotic connection between them. She turnsher back on John to give all her love to their child. Much will occur in thiscold house, none of it good.As Siobhan Adcock crosscuts these stories with mountingtension, each woman arrives at a terrible ordeal of her own making, tinged withlove and fear and dread. What will they sacrifice to save their families-andthemselves? Readers will slow down to enjoy the gorgeous language then speed upto see what happens next in a plot that thrums with the weight of decision-andits explosive consequences.