The moving and uplifting new novella about the transformative power of love from Sunday Times-bestselling Kae Tempest.

“A wonderful, moving, and illuminated state of Britain” - IRVINE WELSH

“A passionate story of love, change, return, and forgiveness” - DAWN FRENCH

Rothko Taylor has returned to their town, Edgecliff, after 15 years. The past rushes towards them: the kids skating on the main street reminding them of their teenage years, the broken benches looking out to sea where their mother Meg kept her alcohol. The beautiful part of town where their father Ezra tried and failed to build a happy home. And Dionne, the beautiful and extraordinary Dionne, the only one who had looked at the Rothkos and seen what was inside them.

Then, overwhelmed and full of fear, they plunged into chaos. But they managed to survive. This time, Rothko is determined that things will be different.

Ten years since Kae Tempest’s last novel, Having Spent Life Seeking is about family and forgiveness; restoration and redemption; desire and abandonment; autonomy and community. The things we seek when we hide, and what finds us if we can allow ourselves to be seen.

“Kae Tempest at their best” - ANTHONY SHAPLAND

“Unconditionally beautiful” - MICHAEL PEDERSEN

Reviews for Kae Tempest: “A genuinely soothing, powerful forerunner of thought” - MATT HAIG

“A speaker of truth” - MAX PORTER

“Strong and kind” - ALI SMITH