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March 5, 2026
Gloria Don’t Speak by Lucy Apps review
Longlisted for the Women’s prize, this ambitious debut journeys into the inner world of a vulnerable teenager who is left traumatised by a toxic friendship
TL;DR
- The novel centers on Gloria, a 19-year-old with a learning disability in 1999 east London.
- Gloria navigates her world, experiencing both simple joys and exploitation, particularly from her friend Jack.
- The author uses a simple sentence structure and a third-person perspective that often feels close to Gloria's first-person experience.
- The narrative successfully conveys Gloria's sensory and pattern-based understanding of the world.
- Secondary characters like Gloria's mother and her carer, Tyrone, are depicted as supportive despite limitations.
- The story culminates with Gloria's testimony after Jack commits a crime, highlighting her desire for friendship even after understanding his actions.
- The novel is described as gentle, tender, and troubling, offering insight into a world typically closed off to readers.
- It raises questions about societal fragmentation and the lack of time and kindness for individuals like Gloria.
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