‘A fierce, big-hearted novel.’ Joe Treasure, author of The Book of Air
‘Pushes us to find our kinder selves.’ Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of Harmless Like You
‘A wonderful book.’ Maurice Wren, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council

One of the Guardian’s Readers’ Books of the Year
Long listed for Not the Booker Prize
Awarded the Victor Turner Prize in 2018

2nd March 1975

In Asmara, Eritrea, Yonas Kelati is born into a world of turmoil. At the same time, on the same day, Jude Munroe takes her first breath in London, England.

Thirty Years Later

Blacklisted in his war-ravaged country, Yonas has no option but to flee his home. After a terrible journey, he arrives on a bleak English coast.

By a twist of fate, Yonas’ asylum case lands on Jude’s desk. Opening the file, she finds a patchwork of witness statements from those who met Yonas along his journey: a lifetime the same length of hers, reduced to a few scraps of paper.

Soon, Jude will stand up in court and tell Yonas’ story. How she tells it will change his life forever.

Fearless, uplifting and compelling, The Invisible Crowd is a powerful debut novel about loyalty, kindness – and the brief moments which define our lives.

Amazon reviewers love The Invisible Crowd:

‘One of the best novels I’ve read this year.’

‘I found myself absorbed from page one.’

‘A delight to read while also being thought provoking and super relevant.’

‘Beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant, I highly recommend it.’

‘A debut novel with a huge heart.’

‘The Invisible Crowd is compelling from the first page and will pull your heart kicking and screaming through the turmoil of finding a home, safety, and love.’

The Invisible Crowd by Ellen Wiles is a top-rated literary fiction that intricately weaves the cultural heritage and political realities of its characters. Set against the backdrop of city life in Eritrea and London, the novel delves into the legal aspects of asylum cases, making it a compelling read for those interested in global narratives.

For fans of Sophie Kinsella (What Does it Feel Like?), Lucy Diamond (The Best Days of Our Lives), Jojo Moyes (The Giver of Stars), L.M. Chilton (Swiped), and Sophie Green (Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society).