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Hermit

A powerful debut novel about one boy's journey into incel culture

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Hermit

By: Chris McQueer
Narrated by: Chris McQueer, Scarlett Mack
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About this listen

 SHORTLISTED FOR SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION 2025

'A deeper look into the loneliness of modern masculinity. Superb' - DOUGLAS STUART, author of SHUGGIE BAIN

'I was so moved' - ANNIE MACMANUS, author of MOTHER MOTHER

'Far and away the best debut novel I've read in a very long time' - JOHN NIVEN, author of O BROTHER

'Nobody writes wee guys like Chris McQueer' - CALLUM MCSORLEY, author of SQUEAKY CLEAN

'A dreadful - but masterful - read' - ALICE SLATER, author of DEATH OF A BOOKSELLER

Since dropping out of school three years ago with no qualifications, no pals and no ambition, Jamie Skelton spends most of his days asleep and most of his nights playing video games with his online friend, Lee, occasionally making the journey downstairs to the kitchen for a microwave burger.

He hasn't left the house in months, and now he's not sure he can.

Fiona, Jamie's maw, is trying her best, but since finding the courage to kick out her abusive husband, her confidence has never recovered. She knows their lives can't carry on like this, but the more Fiona tries to reach Jamie, the further away he seems to get.

Lee tells Jamie he's realised there's a name for what they are - incels - and that there's a guy on the forums they can go stay with in London, to get away from their nagging mams.

When a chance arises for Jamie to escape to London and meet his new friends, Fiona must find a way to reconnect with her son before he is lost for ever.

More praise for HERMIT:
'A superb and topical book on mental health and incel culture' CHIKODILI EMELUMADU
'As compelling as doom scrolling' - Herald Magazine
'This is a very funny novel. But I'd not expected to be quite so moved' - FRANCISCO GARCIA
'Arguably the most eagerly-awaited novel of the year' - Snack Magazine
'An unflinching tale of the traps into which young men can fall' - Herald
'McQueer brings a distinct, compassionate style to the narrative.' - Irish Times
'Brave, bold and ambitious' - Sunday Post

Praise for CHRIS MCQUEER:
'Charlie Brooker on Buckfast' MARTIN COMPSTON, actor
'[McQueer's] talent zings off the page' Guardian
'Impressive' ERIC IDLE, member of Monty Python©2025 Chris McQueer Biographical Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Urban Scary Witty Thought-Provoking Funny Emotionally Gripping

Critic reviews

A deeper look into the loneliness of modern masculinity. Superb. (Douglas Stuart, author of SHUGGIE BAIN)
I just finished Hermit. Jesus Christ - what an utter triumph it is. Just packed with feeling, intensity and humanity. Far and away the best debut novel I've read in a very long time. Chris McQueer invests Jamie and Fiona with such love that the reader feels for each of them at every turn. That world of young, male online culture feels blisteringly, achingly plausible and real. Also, in the shadow of the US election, it has much to tell us about how and why we are where we are. Bravo man, bravo (John Niven, author of KILL YOUR FRIENDS and O BROTHER)
Funny, sad, disturbing and utterly compelling. I couldn't put it down, I rooted for the characters, It's a story of shame, transgression and the distances we will travel in order to feel less alone. I was so moved (Annie Macmanus, author of THE MESS WE'RE IN)
A grimly addictive, empathetic novel. Hermit is a visceral examination of the misogynistic rot permeating the minds of young men and putting women at risk. A dreadful - but masterful - read (Alice Slater, author of DEATH OF A BOOKSELLER)
An unflinching tale of the traps into which young men can fall, filled with insight, heart and humour (Adam Miller)
I've spent years impatiently waiting to see where McQueer would take us with his debut novel. Some of its pleasures are to be expected. McQueer's unusual gifts of voice, pacing and light touch surrealism are all wonderfully in evidence. This is a very funny novel. But I'd not expected to be quite so moved by the interlocking stories of Fiona and Jamie, the cripplingly shy, oddball mother and son, for whom life is one lengthy endurance test. A real statement from a unique talent. (Francisco Garcia, author of IF YOU WERE THERE)
What a ride! This is not a particularly twisty book and yet, there were surprises aplenty. I could not guess - until the last possible moment - what the climax would be . . . In this superb and topical book on mental health and incel culture, McQueer goes to bat for young boys and shows us the faux-shepherds that threaten to turn them loose and angry upon society, at a time when they are most vulnerable (Chikodili Emelumadu, author of DAZZLING)
Hermit is bleak, funny, and dreadfully human. Its subject matter is grim and timely but its characters are handled with such empathy you find yourself desperately hoping Jamie and Fiona will be OK. In a world of big personalities, Hermit shines a stark light on the quiet, forgotten ones. Nobody writes wee guys like Chris McQueer. (Callum McSorley, author of SQUEAKY CLEAN)
McQueer brings a distinct, compassionate style to the narrative.
As compelling as doom scrolling
All stars
Most relevant
I have followed Chris's work for some time and have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Hermit. Great work form the author and the narrator. Listening to this book with the authentic language of the area is so good to here. The plot keeps you hanging on every word trying to figure out where it is going and how the F#*k do you get out of this! A big mention to Scarlett playing a realistic mum with her own problems. This shows the different sides of modern life the affect of computers, internet and so many modern advantages that can also be disadvantageous.
Well done to all concerned. I hope this is a spring board for Chris to show more of his talents.
Keep up the good work. I'll be looking out for the next adventure.

For a first it was fantastic.

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A sad story sprinkled with bits of comedy. Encapsulates the impact Incel dogma has on young men!

Outstanding

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I bought this audiobook after hearing the author being interviewed.

This is an engaging story about how Jamie becomes involved in the incel world and each chapter is told through his or his mum's perspective.

It's quite a short listen but it is engaging. I liked the narration with Jamie speaking in broad Glaswegian patter but his mum's accent doesn't match.

It doesn't go into the dark incel world as much as I would like, I would have liked to have more insight into the icel mind.

Overall a good listen.

Hermit

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Oof. What a devastating, brilliant book. If you found Adolescence gripping, you should definitely read this. It's so well written, the characters are so vividly well drawn. As Jamie's attempt to escape his reclusive life spirals out of control, you can feel the rising panic of both him and his maw. I usually prefer to read novels in print, but, with the dialect and alternating voices, this works really well on audiobook.

What a gripping story

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Great read storyline is great and in my own language I had it on audible, highly recommend this book.

Hermit

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