Hidden: Young, Single, Cancer is out now

About Hidden

Annabel lies awake in the early hours after a night partying. She’s not worrying about how to get rid of an unsuitable man in her bed, but what to do about the hard lump she’s found on her left breast. An absorbing story of what happens when life swerves in unimaginable directions.

At the age of thirty-one – a successful architect and a single Londoner – Annabel is diagnosed with breast cancer. Overnight, her quest for love turns into a fight for life, and more.

Plunged into a world of treatment, which she keeps hidden from all but those closest to her, she learns a new way of living in London, a city whose moods and seasons reflect her own.

Hidden is a memoir of great courage and determination, told with wry humour and an architect’s eye. The story of how Annabel rebuilds her future will bring hope to anyone who has been forced to radically change direction in life.

About Annabel

Annabel Chown was born in London and read Architecture at Cambridge University. She worked as an architect for leading London practices and taught architectural design at Kingston University, then at thirty-one she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She started making notes while going through treatment and discovered a passion for writing. Hidden, her memoir about having cancer while young and single, emerged from this. Annabel is also a yoga teacher and currently teaches yoga at Triyoga in London. She loves cities, particularly London, and food, and lives in London with her husband and young son.

Praise for Hidden

“One of the best books I've read about someone's experience of breast cancer - easy to read and hard to put down. You'll want to rush through the chapters to follow Annabel's journey as she rebuilds her life after treatment.” Lisa Allen, The Pink Ribbon Foundation

"In these troubling times, this is an uplifting, emotional read which has much to teach all of us about how to achieve happiness amidst so much suffering." Dr Francis Gilbert, Head of the MA in Creative Writing + Education, Goldsmiths, University of London

Read more reviews here