Book description
When Anna and Sadie discover the diaries of their mother, Rebecca, in
the days following her death, they learn that her life was far more
complex than either of them knew: a garment worker in early-1900s New
York; the reluctant wife in an arranged marriage to an ailing and
abusive husband; the improbable friend of a pregnant prostitute.
But the diaries reveal more than just surprising details about
Rebecca's life: they also point to a family secret - and questions
about Sadie's true parentage.
The Featherbed is a gripping family saga that moves between
the tenements of New York's Lower East Side and the stately homes of
Toronto's Annex. Strong in plot, character, setting, and style, it is
a fully-realised debut from an assured writer.
"Although disturbing, The Featherbed is a bold first novel and
Miller has evoked a credible feminist voicehe is a gifted literary
craftsman who deserves watching."
John Miller's first novel,
The Featherbed, received stellar reviews and earned a devoted
readership upon its release in 2002. Besides novels, Miller has
written on culture and politics, and in his spare time he provides
consulting services to local and international non-profit
organizations and governments. He lives in Toronto
