The Favourite by Fran Littlewood - ISBN: 9781405951456
Paperback
Three sisters, one father’s secret, a family unravels.
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The Favourite

$23.64

  • Paperback

    416 pages

  • Release Date

    22 September 2026

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Summary

Alex, Nancy and Eva Fisher. Three grown-up sisters, loved equally by their parents, Vivienne and Patrick. Or so they thought.

Until, during a family holiday, Patrick lets slip that he has a favourite. While they try to gloss over it, this sets in motion the unravelling of everything the sisters thought they knew - including their much treasured family bond.

But will it take falling apart to bring them closer together?

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781405951456
ISBN-10:1405951451
Author:Fran Littlewood
Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd
Imprint:Penguin Books Ltd
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:416
Release Date:22 September 2026
Weight:284g
Dimensions:26mm x 131mm x 198mm
A-Format
B-Format
The Favourite by Fran Littlewood - ISBN: 9781405951456
131 × 198 mm
C-Format
A4
mm / in
What They're Saying

Critics Review

Now and again I read a book which is so FABULOUS I get queasy with jealousy. This is one such book. God, I wish I had written it. Funny, dark, fascinating and utterly UTTERLY convincing. On my QWJ (Queasy With Jealousy) Scale, I award it 16⁄10. – Marian Keyes
What makes this sibling dramedy so delectable is Littlewood’s writing… All the nuances of sisterhood, daughterhood, wifehood, motherhood, divorcehood, and more are illuminated by this tale of spilled wine, slapped faces, and enduring family love. * Oprah Daily *
Fran writes like a wilder, more breathless Claire Lombardo … A huge talent. Set over the course of a family reunion that goes very wrong, THE FAVOURITE is a layered, textured story about the reverberations of the past and secrets in a family, and a psychologically astute look at love and relationships. It’s wonderful and very funny. You’re in for such a treat. I LOVED it. – Georgina Moore, author of The Garnett Girls
You’ll be captivated by the well-drawn characters * Good Housekeeping *
Fran Littlewood is an expert chronicler of family dynamics, and particularly the complex, competitive, and sparkling nature of sisterhood. Once I picked up THE FAVOURITE, I did not want to put it down until the last page was turned – Lottie Hazell, author of Piglet
So sharp, funny and pacey, and incredibly well-observed, especially when it comes to the small but treacherous undercurrents that run beneath the family. I loved it. – Rebecca Wait, author of I’m Sorry You Feel That Way
THE FAVOURITE is an absolute knockout - ferociously observed, fantastically funny and deeply relatable. I could not stop reading this dark-edged, pacy, moving novel and was consumed with thoughts about the characters whenever it wasn’t in my hands. Sensationally good – Rosie Walsh, bestselling author of The Man Who Didn’t Call
There’s to be no Difficult Second Album Syndrome for Fran Littlewood. The Favourite starts with a (literally) cracking premise, and gets messier and more mysterious from there. It is darkly funny, keenly observed, and full of poignant, vivid images. – Tim Minchin
A powerful and emotional tale, rich in nuance, exploring loyalty, truth and the fragile nature of love * Woman’s Weekly *
Littlewood’s writing is sharp and dry, with a forensic feel for family dynamics and emotional blind spots * Sunday Mail *

About The Author

Fran Littlewood

Fran Littlewood is the author of Amazing Grace Adams, a New York Times bestseller and a Today Show Read With Jenna pick. Her debut novel has been published in 17 territories.

She holds an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London, and previously worked as a journalist, including a period at The Times. Fran has discussed her writing on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.

She lives in London with her husband and their three daughters. The Favourite is her second novel.

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