A prize-winning novel takes on ‘poverty and capitalist devastation’. And it's based in Rochdale

'To fully convey the book’s intensity, density, darkness and despair would require quoting all 436 pages'

Dear members — lovely to see you again. You’ve had a slightly longer break from us than usual because of the Bank Holiday, but we’re back with a bang. Today’s main piece is about a novel “so caustic it should be printed with hydrochloric acid”. We asked the book’s German-Swiss author why the story is based in Rochdale.

We also have an update on our weekend read about the animal testing flights coming into Manchester Airport, and news of a toe-curlingly cringe moment at Manchester United’s end-of-year awards.

But first, some exciting news… The Mill was founded in June 2020, which means our 3rd birthday is coming up! We're going to celebrate in style in two weeks’ time — on Tuesday 13th June — with a special Mill Members Club hosted by TV and theatre legend and longtime Mill member Julie Hesmondhalgh. We’ve just created the ticket link — book your tickets right this second.

Julie will be interviewing our founder and editor Joshi Herrmann about why he started The Mill and the trials and …