Why We Chose The Ruins for August's PREM1ER Book
For August 2026, we wanted to select a novel that would completely immerse readers in another time and place; a story rich in atmosphere, character, and emotional depth. Becky Docton's remarkable debut, The Ruins, captivated us from the very first pages with its beautiful prose and unforgettable coming-of-age journey.
Beginning in Devon in 1937, the novel introduces us to seven-year-old Lucie, whose world is shattered when she is separated from her mother and taken to The Ruins, a once-grand family home haunted by secrets, disappointments, and long-held resentments. As Lucie grows, she must navigate a complicated family legacy while searching for answers about the mother who disappeared from her childhood. Along the way, she discovers friendship, resilience, imagination, and ultimately her own sense of identity.
What impressed us most about The Ruins is the confidence of Becky Docton's storytelling. Spanning three decades and multiple continents, this is a novel that feels both intimate and expansive. The characters are exquisitely drawn, each carrying their own burdens, hopes, and contradictions, while the world they inhabit is rendered with extraordinary detail and sensitivity.
At its heart, this is a story about belonging. It explores the complicated ties between mothers and daughters, the lasting impact of childhood, and the ways in which we shape ourselves from the fragments of our past.
As a debut, The Ruins is particularly impressive. There is a maturity and elegance to the writing that belies it being a first novel, and it is easy to see why early readers have been so enthusiastic in their praise. Becky Docton announces herself as a significant new literary voice with a story that is both sweeping in scope and deeply human in its emotional resonance.
Above all, The Ruins embodies what we look for in every PREM1ER selection and we are delighted to introduce this extraordinary debut to our members.
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For over 20 years, PREM1ER has been at the forefront of book subscriptions, championing exceptional storytelling and future collectible editions. Many of our authors even sign their books in person at our iconic Cecil Court bookshop, giving every copy its own story.
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