Description: "A rich, bighearted debut that takes us from working-class Staten Island in the wake of the September 11th attacks to upper crust London a decade later, revealing a story of loss, motherhood, and love found in the most impossible of places, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Ann Napolitano"--
Review Quotes: A Good Morning America Must-Read Book
"A thematic companion to Kiley Reid's Such a Fun Age, Bannister's novel is a searing insight into the complexities of motherhood and the interminable frustration of the tiny needs, musts, and wants that keep a family moving. A gripping, introspective read."--Booklist A powerful and compassionately told story of loss, grief, love and motherhood."
--Daily Mail (UK) "Bannister's emotionally raw debut offers an unflinching glimpse of new motherhood. . . Bannister effectively captures Gigi's awareness of cultural and class divides. This poignant story feels genuine."
--Publishers Weekly "A beautiful and unflinching story of loss, motherhood and love in all its forms. Both heartbreaking and funny, Bannister perfectly captures the brilliant darkness of existing. I adored this brave debut."
--Ella Berman, bestselling author of The Comeback
"Ilona Bannister is the best friend every new mother wants--the one who tells you it's OK to fall apart and the one who makes you laugh until you get back up again. This first novel is a wise, big-hearted, triumphant story of marriage and motherhood."
--Emily Giffin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lies that Bind "A furious and tender exploration of family and motherhood. A novel about survival - in the immediate sense, but also how you keep hold of yourself in those small every day moments of erasure."
--Pandora Sykes, author of How Do We Know We Are Doing It Right? "When I Ran Away is a profoundly moving story showing the redemptive power of love and acceptance--of friends, family and also of ourselves. Richly textured, populated by wonderfully observed, deftly drawn characters, from the hilarious chorus of Staten Island girlfriends to the blinkered office colleagues and the desperate-to-seem-in-control women of the mums and babies group. A smart, brave and often very funny book that's full of hope for the future. I was captivated."
--Sarah Haywood, bestselling author of The Cactus "How much can one woman take? That is the question this novel asks, furiously [and] impatiently. . . Gigi is sharp and funny and endearing. . . A searing account of the pain and rage motherhood can sometimes produce."
--Kirkus