The Unlit City

By Mr Patrick Hawkes

Soho, London.

For Joe, a young writer chasing a story he can't seem to start, the city offers a brutal bargain: inspiration in exchange for his soul. Each morning, he writes three words to prove his own existence: I am here. But in the sweltering, sticky heat of a London summer, his grip is slipping.

He and his friends-the magnetic, self-destructive Klara, the brilliantly doomed Sylvia, and the dangerously beautiful Jimmy -live in the city's underbelly, a world of borrowed time, cheap drugs, and expensive pretences.

When Joe falls into the orbit of Christopher Shaw, a celebrated and cruel literary icon, he sees a chance at everything he's ever wanted. But Shaw's influence is a dangerous fire, and soon the fragile bonds of their found family begin to fracture under the weight of secrets, betrayals, and the unbearable violence of their own desires.

The Unlit City is a raw, lyrical, and unflinching novel about art, addiction, and the devastating cost of love in a city that is always waiting to devour you. Perfect for fans of A Little Life, The Secret History, and Trainspotting.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FTZD7YW6
• ISBN13: 9798268369823
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"