About the Author

Jo Mazelis is a published writer of short stories, non-fiction and poetry. Her collection of stories, Diving Girls (Parthian, 2002), was short-listed for the Commonwealth 'Best First Book' and Wales Book of the Year. Her second book, Circle Games (Parthian, 2005), was long-listed for Wales Book of the Year. Her stories and poetry have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in various anthologies and magazines, and translated into Danish. Born and educated in Swansea Jo returned to her home town in 1991 after working in London for many years. During the 1980s she worked as a graphic designer, photographer and illustrator for the magazines City Limits, Women's Review, Spare Rib, Undercurrents, Everywoman and New Dance

Reviews

'Significance is written with admirable storytelling skill that weaves captivating narrative tension, poetic density and exploration of ideas. Further enjoyment is provided by an acute sense of place which makes for a vivid experience of French urban life, and by the precision and awareness of the power of language, its multiple associations, beyond our conscious control, echoing Lacanian ideas subtly alluded to in the text - just one element of its intricate texture. It's a story that will leave its readers with a lingering sense of tragedy along with some thought-provoking questions about the crime at the heart of the novel and about our own selves.' 'This is a novel that includes questions outside of police procedure and while the crime elements of the story are handled with an authoritative, detached narrator's voice, making it a real page-turner, the philosophical ideas make it even more engaging.' Valerie Sirr. Wales Art Review 'With Significance Mazelis has set her novel-writing bar at a breathtaking height.' Rachel Trezise. Agenda