Michelle Hébert |
Writer
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
By Michelle Hébert
Vagrant Press • May 7, 2024 • $22.95 CA, $18.95 US
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A darkly humorous family saga set in Nova Scotia about a young woman coming of age in a family that believes it’s cursed, for fans of Emma Straub and Lesley Crewe.
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Kitten Love’s family is haunted by the memory of her teenaged aunt, Nerida, who died just days before Kitten’s birth in 1970. Her mother, Queena, believes the family is cursed, and she’s determined not to let disaster strike again. She won’t let Kitten out of her sight—especially to visit the beaches that surround the town. She’s built a bomb shelter to protect against Soviet attack, and she’s desperate to protect her husband, Stubby, from the fatal and mysterious Love Heart.
Kitten thinks she knows how to defeat their curse: magic. But when protection spells and clues from tarot cards aren’t enough to save Stubby, Kitten turns her back on the things that make her life magical, and Queena turns her back on reality. She preserves every- thing as it was the day Stubby died in 1987—from the gold shag rug in the bathroom to the Duran Duran posters in Kitten’s room. Kitten, herself, is forbidden to change.
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Kitten tastes freedom when she falls in love and moves to British Columbia, but reinvent- ing herself without the curse is harder than she expects. Tragedy and her own reliance on magical thinking eventually lead her back home to Queena, her brother Thom, and Aunt Bunny, who are equally stuck in their pasts. When tarot cards begin mysteriously showing up in her room, warning of a betrayal and encouraging an unlikely romance, she’s certain someone is watching her. Could the heartbreak that almost destroyed Kitten’s family be the very thing that helps them move on?
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A darkly humorous family saga woven around tarot cards and a mixtape of ’80s songs, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic is a heady mix of music, ghosts, love, and nostalgia.
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Praise for Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
“Michelle Hébert’s debut novel is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story about a young woman’s journey towards the acceptance of her family, with a focus on trust and love and a surprising narrative twist that is skillfully woven into the story.”
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–ATLANTIC BOOKS TODAY
"An unforgettable coming-of-age tale. Enchanting, heartfelt, and tender, it is about loss, family, and the things that haunt us through life. Deeply satisfying in its execution, exquisite and propulsive, there is magic to be found on every page. A stunning story that gripped me and has lingered long after I finished it. I loved this beautiful, devastating book."
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- JOANNE GALLANT, award-winning author of A Womb in the Shape of a Heart
"Delightfully funny, smart, and deliciously written, Hébert dives deep into emotions that haunt us all in daily life, all while reminding us of our shared humanity that makes life sparkle. Buckle up for a ride back in time - you're in good hands with this masterful storyteller."
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- KELLY S. THOMPSON, national bestselling author of Girls Need Not Apply and Still, I Cannot Save You
This book is woven together expertly with a mix of all kinds of wonderful potions: music, family, ghosts, love, magic, and tarot. The characters are gorgeous weirdos with strange nicknames who get under your skin with their realness. Underneath it all there is a strong message about being true to who you really are, realizing that you can’t escape your family or where you come from, and that sometimes you just have to lean into grief to be able to let some of it go.
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- THE MIRAMICHI READER
"With the 1980s as its backing soundtrack, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic is a spirited novel about being stuck and the invisible currents that push us forward. A funny, brash, and original debut."
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- SARAH MIAN, Leacock-shortlisted author of When the Saints
"Michelle Hébert's well-crafted debut crackles with mystery, melancholy, and a mind-blowing twist. She shines a sensitive spotlight on mental illness and its impact on self, family, and friends. This tale is a wry reflection on life, death, grief and healing."
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JANE DOUCET, author of Lost & Found in Lunenburg
Content Warnings for
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
This work of fiction contains themes that might be difficult for some readers. These include:
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Mental Illness
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Miscarriage
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Death
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Grief