Author(s): Sheena Patel

Novel | 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction long list | 2023 Republic of Consciousness Prize

AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVEL OF 2022 I’M A FAN tells the story of an unnamed narrator’s involvement in a seemingly unequal romantic relationship. With a clear and unforgiving eye, Sheena Patel makes startling connections between power struggles at the heart of human relationships to those in the wider world, offering a devastating critique of social media, access and patriarchal systems.

Review: A fast, fizzing cherry bomb of a debut... mining the darkest depths of coercion, seduction and abuser dynamics... Like a sociopathic ex who's stalking your Twitter, I'M A FAN will stick with you for a very long time * Observer *
Like Pop Rocks in your mouth. Burnt coffee on your tongue. Frostbitten fingers. It's been a long while since my heart raced over the prospect of turning a page in a book. Sheena Patel is an evil genius of a writer -- CHLOE CALDWELL
Pure fire from start to finish. Sheena Patel is the future -- Niven Govinden, author of Diary of a Film
A brutal, brilliant debut... The desperate, cornered strength of the narrative voice in I'M A FAN is like nothing else I've read * Guardian *
Mesmerising, powerful, and finely observed -- Olivia Sudjic, author of Asylum Road
Exhilarating, disturbing... Race, class and privilege are mercilessly deconstructed * Financial Times *
Digs its nails deep into the contradictions of power and status with a brutally steady gaze. It's rare to find a book so thrillingly unafraid to offend, so willing to forgo niceties, so full of verve and bristling with insight -- Alexandra Kleeman, author of You Too Can Have a Body Like Mine
I'm a Fan digs its nails deep into the contradictions of power and status with a brutally steady gaze. It's rare to find a book so thrillingly unafraid to offend, so willing to forgo niceties, so full of verve and bristling with insight -- ALEXANDRA KLEEMAN

Author Biography: SHEENA PATEL is a writer and assistant director for film and TV who was born and raised in North West London. She is part of the 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE collective, has been published in 4BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE (Rough Trade Books) and a poetry collection of the same name (FEM Press). In 2022 she was chosen as one of the Observer's Top 10 best debut novelists. This is her first novel.