But when something irreparable happens and familiar black weeds start to crawl inside him, Arlo flees to the other side of the world, taking only a sketchbook full of maps.

There, he meets fellow traveller Mizuki and they decide to get lost together. But how far can you run before you lose yourself completely?

Reviews

A new offering from the bright young author of The Taste of Blue Light...this brave and pertinent book takes readers to the most unexpected places...this is artful, itinerant teen angst rooted in travel

National Geographic Traveller

With shades of Catcher In The Rye and the otherworldly feel of the film Lost In Translation, there is plenty to keep you enthralled

DARE magazine

A startling portrayal of what it means to be young and lost...you will love this

Book Bag

It's such a wonderful story, so beautifully written, and so hard-hitting. Lydia Ruffles is now right up there with my favourite authors, and one whose novels I will now auto-buy

Once Upon A Bookcase blog

You do not want to miss this novel about growing up, losing yourself, and trying to find your way back again

heat

A dream of a novel

Buzzfeed

This is a sophisticated read and particularly impressive in its portrayal of the inner lives of young, hurting men

The Irish Times

Lydia Ruffles

Lydia Ruffles is the acclaimed author of The Taste of Blue Light and Colour Me In. She also writes and talks about creativity and mental health for media ranging from Buzzfeed to Woman’s Hour. Lydia is a graduate of the Faber Academy and is based in London.

Find her on Twitter and Instagram @lydiaruffles and on Tumblr at lydiaryffles.tumbler.com