Review of Gunk by Saba Sams

The debut novel from Saba Sams, the author of the short story collection Send Nudes. Set in a student nightclub in Brighton, Jules works for her ex husband Leon, working the bar and cleaning the floors, then he hires nineteen-year-old Nim. The women become close, almost a maternal relationship as Jules wants to help Nim settle in and feel welcome. When Nim falls pregnant, Jules offers to help her however she can, but it’s difficult because while Nim is indifferent to her pregnant body, a baby is all Jules has ever wanted. When Jules is left in her house with Nim’s newborn child in her hands, she doesn’t know what to do or where to turn as Nim has disappeared and she may never be coming back.

A novel which explores different family dynamics and fertility, female friendship and a bond which is more intimate and fierce than romance. An achingly beautiful novel which is unputdownable to the very end.

Reviewed by Victoria

Published on 08/05/25 by Bloomsbury

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