S. V. Berlin is a British author of literary fiction, best known for her debut novel The Favourite (2017). She is also recognised for her work in film and radio. In 2019, she worked as a story editor and writer on the film A Son of Man, which was selected as Ecuador’s official Oscar entry in the Foreign Language Film category.
S. V. Berlin was born and grew up in London before relocating to the United States. She first gained a following through her blog Britical, which examined social politics in New York from a British perspective. Berlin later became a regular guest commentator on SiriusXM Radio, writing and performing monologues on topics including James Bond, texting etiquette, and modern marriage. She has also worked as a copywriter, speechwriter, wilderness search and rescue professional, and facilitator.
Her first novel, The Favourite (2017), was published by Myriad Editions. The book begins with the sudden death of Mary, mother to estranged siblings Isobel and Edward. Forced to reunite at their childhood home in coastal England, they are joined by Edward’s girlfriend Julie as they prepare for the funeral. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the three characters. Each must confront secrets, buried grief, and personal doubts.
Berlin has described the novel as an exploration of “the messiness, family secrets, power struggles, and people behaving badly” that can surface after a parent’s death. “Anyone who’s been through the death of a parent,” she said, “knows that it puts you on the other side of something.” The story unfolds chronologically from spring to Christmas Eve, examining the shifting roles within families and the emotional legacies that follow.
Although the novel deals with loss and unresolved conflict, it includes moments of dark humour. “The British don’t cope well with overtly emotional displays,” Berlin has said. “Faced with personal misfortune they take refuge in dark humo(u)r.”
S. V. Berlin lives in New York and is currently working on a psychological thriller set in the city.
Photo credit: Linda McQueen
S. V. Berlin was born and grew up in London before relocating to the United States. She first gained a following through her blog Britical, which examined social politics in New York from a British perspective. Berlin later became a regular guest commentator on SiriusXM Radio, writing and performing monologues on topics including James Bond, texting etiquette, and modern marriage. She has also worked as a copywriter, speechwriter, wilderness search and rescue professional, and facilitator.
Her first novel, The Favourite (2017), was published by Myriad Editions. The book begins with the sudden death of Mary, mother to estranged siblings Isobel and Edward. Forced to reunite at their childhood home in coastal England, they are joined by Edward’s girlfriend Julie as they prepare for the funeral. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the three characters. Each must confront secrets, buried grief, and personal doubts.
Berlin has described the novel as an exploration of “the messiness, family secrets, power struggles, and people behaving badly” that can surface after a parent’s death. “Anyone who’s been through the death of a parent,” she said, “knows that it puts you on the other side of something.” The story unfolds chronologically from spring to Christmas Eve, examining the shifting roles within families and the emotional legacies that follow.
Although the novel deals with loss and unresolved conflict, it includes moments of dark humour. “The British don’t cope well with overtly emotional displays,” Berlin has said. “Faced with personal misfortune they take refuge in dark humo(u)r.”
S. V. Berlin lives in New York and is currently working on a psychological thriller set in the city.
Photo credit: Linda McQueen
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