Motherwell

Book excerpt: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE 'A fitting legacy left by a blazing talent' Observer 'A masterpiece' Andrew O'Hagan, Guardian 'Completely amazing' Lucy Mangan, Stylist 'A modern classic' Daily Mail 'Raw, compelling, wise and tender' Dolly Alderton 'Outstanding' Jenny Colgan, Spectator 'Razor-sharp, fearless and wonderful' Adam Kay 'Personal, political, and blazing with truth' Melissa Harrison 'Crammed with wit and intelligence' Financial Times 'Deeply tender and very funny' Kathy Burke 'Full of glinting pain, brilliant one liners and utter clarity' Suzanne Moore '[Orr's] masterpiece' Evening Standard 'Intense and moving' Red 'Remarkable' Val McDermid, i MOTHERWELL is a sharp, candid and often humorous memoir about the long shadow that can be cast when the core relationship in your life compromises every effort you make to become an individual. It is about what we inherit - the good and the very bad - and how a deeper understanding of the place and people you have come from can bring you towards redemption.