LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2023




The darkly comic new novel from the bestselling author of The Portable Veblen



'Incredibly funny and very moving’ BELLA MACKIE


'A blissful novel that I want to give to everyone I love’ NINA STIBBE


‘Even funnier, even more romantic than McKenzie’s wonderful last’ KAREN JOY FOWLER


Penny Rush has problems. Her marriage is over, she’s quit her job, her parents have been missing in the Australian outback for five years and now she’s back home in Santa Barbara, dealing with mounting family crises and living out of a borrowed van named The Dog of the North.


The Dog is replete with gingham curtains, wood panelling, a piñata, clunky brakes and difficult steering. It’s also Penny’s getaway car from the curveballs life’s throwing at her. With an uncertain future ahead of her, could the road she’s on lead her back to herself?