Spanning the late 1970s to the late 1980s, Nadia Bozak's thirteen
stories are narrated from the perspective of Shell, the only child of
bohemian artisans determined to live off their handicrafts and uphold a
left-wing lifestyle. At the age of five, Shell's world is transformed
when the family moves into a new house, where she grows up. Over time,
she gradually trades her unconventional upbringing for junk food, rock
music, and boys. All the while, Shell quietly watches her parents'
loveless marriage fall apart and learns to survive divorce, weight gain,
heartache, and first love.
A funny, sensitive portrayal of the innocence and uncertainty of
childhood and adolescence, Thirteen Shells is a true-to-life
collection that is as unforgettable as it is poignant.