
What Red Was
by Rosie Price
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Pub Date 20 Aug 2020 | Archive Date 19 Sep 2020
Random House UK, Vintage | Vintage
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Description
‘An urgent story told beautifully’ – Dolly Alderton
‘Gripping, unflinching and elegant’ – Sophie Mackintosh
A powerful, unforgettable story about modern love, privilege and a young woman’s journey after her life falls apart.
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When Kate meets Max in the first week of university, a life-changing friendship begins. Over the next four years, the two become inseparable. But loving Max means knowing his family: the wealthy Rippons, all generosity, social ease and quiet repression.
Theirs is not Kate’s world, and yet she finds herself drawn quickly into their gilded lives, and the secrets that lie beneath. Until one summer evening at the Rippons’ home, just after graduation, her life is shattered in a bedroom while a party goes on downstairs.
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An Observer Hottest-Tipped Debut Novelist and Elle One To Watch
‘Unforgettable . . . subversive and sophisticated’ Elle
‘Outstanding . . . brilliantly told’ Observer
‘A writer with a voice as fresh as new paint . . . Beautiful’ The Times
‘One of the most powerful debuts you’ll ever read’ Stylist
‘Scorching and original’ Sunday Times, Style
‘Dazzling… Enthralling’ Alexandra Kleeman
‘Unputdownable… A powerful and haunting tale’ Independent
‘If you like David Nicholls, Elizabeth Day, Donna Tartt…it’s exceptional’ Pandora Sykes
‘Compelling… Price’s prose glimmers’ Mail on Sunday
Available Editions
EDITION | Paperback |
ISBN | 9781529110784 |
PRICE | £8.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 384 |
Featured Reviews

What Price Red is a powerful novel dealing with the harrowing subject of sexual assault.
When Kate from a single parent family meets Max Rippon from a wealthy family at university a very close platonic relationship develops. Kate meets Max’s family and is impressed by their lifestyle which is in contrast to her own home life which she found claustrophobic. The rivalries and family issues in the Rippon household are succinctly described with great characterisation.
During a Summer Party she is sexually assaulted by Max’s cousin.
The novel centres on how Kate deals with this trauma. At first she struggles to tell those closet to her the ordeal she has been through.
An excellent debut novel that is intelligent and thoughtful. Highly recommended.