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OotlinThe must-read memoir about growing up in the UK care system
by Dr Jenni Fagan
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- New - a brand new book
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- Very Good - only minor imperfections such as minor scuffs to edge or cover or a price written in pencil or shop sticker.
- Standard Secondhand - Clearly been read before, but not too bad. We do not recommend these for gifting. Spines usually creased. Could also include creases or folds to cover, some writing such as in the cover or elsewhere, underlining or highlighting, but might not do. Possibly some stains or marks. Similar in general to books in any secondhand shop or charity shop.
- Poor Condition - Usually this will have a specific problem such as writing inside, water damage, missing dust jacket, heavy staining, large creases or cuts. These are readable copies but not nice ones. On other websites this condition is called 'Acceptable' or 'Fair' , but we want to be more honest.
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WINNER OF THE GORDON BURN PRIZE 2025
Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non Fiction 2025
'An astonishing story of survival' GUARDIAN
'Extraordinary and uplifting' OBSERVER
'A triumphant tale of survival' FINANCIAL TIMES
'An extraordinary book' LITERARY REVIEW
'To read this book is to be reminded of the importance of kindness, of beauty and of storytelling' iPAPER
'A phenomenal memoir. I am in awe' AMY LIPTROT
'Beautiful, deep, transfixing . . . it will burn a home in your heart' LEMN SISSAY
'Essential reading, life-changing ... Beautiful, earth-shattering and unforgettable' SAMANTHA MORTON
'Mesmerising, heart-breaking. I'll never forget it' ANNIE MAC
'Should be required reading' CLAIRE FULLER
The government told a story about me before I was born.
Jenni Fagan was property of the state before birth. She drew her first breath in care and by the age of seven, she had lived in fourteen different homes and had her name changed multiple times.
Twenty years after her first attempt to write this powerful memoir, Jenni is finally ready to share her account.
Ootlin is a journey through the broken UK care system - it is one of displacement and exclusion, but also of the power of storytelling. It is about the very human act of making meaning from adversity.
Format: Paperback
Published: 2025
Pages: 368
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 9781804942130
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Condition Descriptions
Our conditions mean the following:
- New - a brand new book
- Almost New - appears new but is actually secondhand.
- Very Good - only minor imperfections such as minor scuffs to edge or cover or a price written in pencil or shop sticker.
- Standard Secondhand - Clearly been read before, but not too bad. We do not recommend these for gifting. Spines usually creased. Could also include creases or folds to cover, some writing such as in the cover or elsewhere, underlining or highlighting, but might not do. Possibly some stains or marks. Similar in general to books in any secondhand shop or charity shop.
- Poor Condition - Usually this will have a specific problem such as writing inside, water damage, missing dust jacket, heavy staining, large creases or cuts. These are readable copies but not nice ones. On other websites this condition is called 'Acceptable' or 'Fair' , but we want to be more honest.
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