Contemporary fiction titles are those which focus on the present or near past. Stories rooted in the current cultural, social, and political landscape which feature characters we can all recognise.
Contemporary Fiction Books
HarperCollins Publishers The Bad Seeds
Book Synopsis
£9.49
World Editions Ltd The Stone Diaries
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Inner Traditions Bear and Company Revelations from the Source
Book SynopsisAn initiatic novel based on ancient teachings and astrological wisdom from bestselling author Barbara Hand Clow • Offers an in-depth experience of alchemical transmutation to cleanse old parts of the psyche and clear space for the shift to 5D through 9D consciousness • Reveals the astrological factors at play behind the multitude of crises hitting the world stage in 2018, 2019, and 2020, including the Covid-19 pandemic • Continues the story from Revelations of the Ruby Crystal and Revelations of the Aquarian Age With the Age of Aquarius dawning, six friends connected by ancient wisdom, spiritual revelation, past lives, and sexual alchemy discover the connections between seemingly disconnected events--environmental collapse, schisms in the Catholic Church, the refugee crisis, political breakdown in the United States, the shift out of the age of oil to the high-tech economy, and the Covid-19 pandemic. The characters, as well as readers, experience moving out of fear-based consciousness to the higher dimensions. The story begins in Florence, Italy, at an art soirée in honor of Armando Pierleoni’s visionary painting of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. In addition to the six friends--Armando, his photographer wife Jennifer, New York Times journalist Simon, his mystical wife Sarah, Jungian analyst Lorenzo, and exotically beautiful and astrologically insightful Claudia--the dinner party also includes Alessandro de Medici, later revealed to be a master alchemist, and the Jesuit priest Father Giorgio Faccini, the Vatican archivist and a covert agent for the Church’s secret agenda. As the Aquarian vibrations intensify, Claudia sees the astrological factors at play behind the multitude of crises hitting the world stage, and then Covid-19 hits Italy. In the rapidly escalating tension, the deepest fears and greatest joys of the characters’ lives are revealed. Armando has a spiritual breakthrough and high initiation with Lorenzo in his tower, and the friends discover alchemical keys and the perennial wisdom--long suppressed by the Church--that will help humanity transcend.Trade Review“Revelations from the Source, and the entire trilogy by Barbara Hand Clow, has rekindled my love of reading fiction! By weaving together astrology, history, symbolism, spirituality, and the occult with deeply compelling characters and storylines, the perfect storm is created to keep the reader riveted. I admire Barbara’s use of masterful storytelling to help us deepen into subjects that can otherwise be difficult to grasp. Truly brilliant!” * AMANDA “PUA” WALSH, founder and CEO of Astrology Hub *“A fascinating story. To shift us more fully into the Aquarian Age, Barbara Hand Clow weaves her multidimensional, astrological, and star-consciousness wisdom into a modern allegory filled with intrigue, interesting characters and concepts, and the irresistible lushness of Italian culture, history, and art. As part of humanity learning to free ourselves from the suffering we created in the Piscean Age, we are given glimpses of the heart-based, higher frequency world we are here once again to birth.” * Judith Corvin-Blackburn, LCSW, DMin, author of Activating Your 5D Frequency *“Barbara Hand Clow began adapting her lifetime of research in the fields of astrology, science, religion, and multidimensional reality into fiction a few years ago when she wrote the first volume of her Revelations trilogy. This third and final book, Revelations from the Source, brings all of her work together in a breathtaking way. The characters embody the archetypes of humanity interfacing with the world’s current events through a sensual, multisensory, and multidimensional lens on a backdrop of Tuscany and Rome. This final story is profound in its implications while taking the reader on a page-turning ride the entire time.” * Regina Meredith, host of Open Minds on Gaia *“In each of her excellent books Barbara skillfully blends archaeology, authentic spiritual awareness, rich astrological insights, and remarkable prophetic vision. And as a writer of fiction she spices her exciting stories with wit, steamy romance, and a penetrating critique of contemporary global politics. With a big heart she packs a powerful punch with a vitally important message for our times.” * Martin Gray, author of Sacred Earth *“As an artist, I identified with Armando immediately when I first encountered him in Revelations of the Ruby Crystal, and I have enjoyed his stunning personal and artistic growth in Revelations from the Source. There is no art without contemplation. It involves creating space to examine and get in touch with our true center. The artist must survey his or her surroundings, both personal and creative, and then perhaps be strong enough to reframe his or her intended goal in the original concept, even to reconsider the ephemeral illusion of time and space. This book is a must-read for those exploring the inner journey of the artist.” * Allen Blagden, author of Marking the Moment *“Barbara Hand Clow has surpassed herself with her new novel, Revelations from the Source. With stunning originality, she transmits her visionary brilliance into characters who are simultaneously larger than life and endearingly human. Barbara Hand Clow offers a hope-filled view of global transformation as we move into the Age of Aquarius. Thank you!” * Tannis Hugill, registered drama therapist, board certified dance-movement therapist, spiritual direc *“At the end of each Great Age, as the old world falls into extreme degradation, Vishnu, divinity of preservation, incarnates to overcome corruption and restore balance. All of Barbara Hand Clow’s books resonate with Vishnu’s purpose, and Revelations from the Source is her crowning achievement. It courageously fulfills Vishnu’s twofold task: to clearly reveal corruption and lead an evolutionary way forward toward full multidimensional human potential. Thank you, Barbara; the Force is with you!” * Frederick Hamilton Baker, author of Alchemical Tantric Astrology and coauthor of Conscious Conceptio *“Barbara Hand Clow has masterfully woven research and expansive insights into Revelations from the Source with engaging results. Key to the unfolding of this novel is the alchemizing effect of transmuting fear to love, which I found truly inspiring and uplifting. This book comes at the perfect time to assist many in making the shift to a higher vibration, to love.” * Erina Carey Cowan, coauthor of Dowsing Beyond Duality *"Revelations from the Source has offered me a new sense of freedom in facing the torment of the Piscean Age, opening more widely the door to the Age of Aquarius. I greatly appreciate this new sense of freedom gained from journeying in the trance inducing ways offered in this book, and can highly recommend it to others who are on this same journey into the Age of Aquarius." * Nicholas Brink, author of The Power of Ecstatic Trance *"I have eagerly been anticipating this latest release after having grown quite fond of the tight-knit community of characters in this series. All my hopes and expectations were exceeded in this dynamic final book, which expertly weaves together multi-dimensional layers of information, inspiring revelations, and reconsideration of how things truly are in the world. I highly recommend not only this book, but this entire series, for those looking for a fascinating read that delves into many dimensions, facets of history, and opens a doorway to a future unlike what we’ve known thus far. The writing is engaging, and the characters will soon feel like an extended friend group (I certainly wish I could call on them for advice!). More and more, those awakening to the shifts will be looking for answers, and while it’s fictional, this book is sure to be the key that unlocks readers’ perception." * Alanna Kali, Musing Mystical *Table of ContentsPART ONE Armando’s Muse 1 Palazzo Vecchio 2 Where Is the Muse? 3 The Tomb of Jesus 4 Verona School for the Deaf 5 King Brienne’s Coin 6 The Last Temptation 7 The Muse Is Gone 8 Orvieto Tufa Caves 9 Opus Dei 10 The Edge 11 The Garden Path 12 Is It Cancer? PART TWO Indictments 13 Smut and Vice 14 The US Justice Department 15 The Fourth Dimension 16 Follow the Money 17 Celsus and the End of Nature 18 Pope Innocent X 19 Out of the Closet 20 Notre Dame Cathedral 21 Mausoleo di Augusto 22 Schism Aquarius 23 Full Moon Eclipse 24 Father Faccini’s Letter PART THREE The Source 25 Environmental Collapse 26 Christmas Eclipses 27 The Assassination 28 A Gathering of Men 29 Armando’s Raising 30 Quarantined 31 Musical Chairs 32 Earth Cantata 33 The New View over Atlantis 34 From the Reptile to the Sage 35 Relics Speak 36 Grand Finale at Sintra Afterword: The Encounter
£13.30
Abbeville Press Inc.,U.S. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn
Book SynopsisA great American novelist, illustrated by a great American artist - now available in a collectable two-volume set.In 1936, the Heritage Press, a publisher of fine editions, commissioned Norman Rockwell to illustrate Mark Twain''s Adventures of Tom Sawyer; four years later, they asked him to illustrate The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as well. For each book, Rockwell created eight full-colour paintings and numerous pen-and-ink drawings, the product of extensive on-the-ground research in Twain''s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. Famously, Rockwell even tried to buy some Hannibal residents'' old clothes, to dress his models in.For years, the Rockwell editions of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn have been unavailable in stores. Now, Abbeville Press is proud to reissue them as a handsome new clothbound set. The colour plates are reproduced from new photography of Rockwell''s original paintings, the typesetting has been done anew to a high standard, and new introductions - illustrated with Rockwell''s rarely seen preliminary sketches - examine this unique encounter between two legendary chroniclers of America.Also available: Treasure Island and Kidnapped boxed set ISBN 9780789214089
£36.00
Amazon Publishing Rolling Toward Clear Skies
Book SynopsisA foster mother must contend with the emotional turmoil of her new blended family in a heartfelt novel of hope and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.Maggie Blount, divorced mother of two and California physician, puts her private practice on hold when disaster strikes. Doctors on Wheels takes her and Alex—Maggie’s professional and romantic partner—wherever they’re needed. After rolling into rural Louisiana in the wake of a category five hurricane, Maggie immediately bonds with two sisters and their puppy, all orphaned by the storm. It’s enough to break Maggie’s heart, and she’s not leaving them behind.Feeling blessed and looking forward to their new foster home in affluent Vista del Mar—a world apart from the one they’ve known—Jean and Rose are polite, appreciative, and humble. Frankly, they''re the polar opposite of Maggie’s own self-involved te
£8.54
Pan Macmillan Liars
Book SynopsisSarah Manguso is the author of several books, including the novel Very Cold People, a finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein Award. Her genre-defying work of aphoristic non-fiction, 300 Arguments, was named a best book of the year by more than twenty publications. She is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Hodder Fellowship and the Rome Prize. Her work is regularly featured across The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine and The New Yorker, among others. She grew up in Massachusetts and now lives in Los Angeles. Liars is her ninth book.
£15.29
Amazon Publishing The Whisper Sister
Book SynopsisThe author of Modern Girls delivers an atmospheric coming-of-age story set in Prohibition-era New York, tracing one immigrant family’s fortunes and a young girl’s journey from the schoolyard to the speakeasy.The streets of New York in 1920 are most certainly not paved with gold, as Minnie Soffer learns when she arrives at Ellis Island. Her father, who left Ukraine when Minnie was a toddler, feels like a stranger. She sleeps on a mattress on the kitchen floor. She understands nothing at school. They came to America for this?As her family adjusts to this new life, Minnie and her brother work hard to learn English and make friends. When her father, Ike, opens his own soda shop, stability and citizenship seem within reach. But the soda shop is not what it seems; it’s a front for Ike’s real moneymaker: a speakeasy.When tragedy strikes the Soffers, Minnie has no choice but to take over the bar. She’s determined to make the s
£8.54
Little, Brown Book Group An Island Wedding
Book Synopsis''I loved this novel and every single one of its characters. Supremely heartfelt, hilarious and heartrending - it''s an absolute triumph.'' Sophie KinsellaDiscover Jenny Colgan''s best novel yet...Olivia and Anthony are planning A Very Extravagant Wedding at the newest hotel on the tiny Scottish island of Mure. They''re flying in chefs, musicians and something called a living flower wall... and no one is even allowed to think the word bridezilla.Flora is trying - and failing - not to let Olivia and Anthony''s wedding distract her from planning her own big day with Joel. But the couple have wildly different ideas about how to celebrate and somehow, just when their relationship should be plain sailing, everything is suddenly very hard indeed.And then there''s Lorna and Saif. The local headmistress and the GP desperately keeping their relationship a secret to protect his sons. But while they''re looking out for the boys, who''s lookiTrade ReviewThis nourishing new dose of cosy, comic, compassionate island escapism confirms Colgan's status as Queen of her genre * LoveReading *Praise for Jenny ColganThis sweet romance will lift your spirits * Sunday Mirror *Gorgeous, glorious, uplifting -- Marian KeyesIrresistible -- Jill MansellJust lovely -- Katie FfordeNaturally funny, warm-hearted -- Lisa JewellA gobble-it-all-up-in-one-sitting kind of book -- Mike GayleA sheer delight from start to finish -- Sophie Kinsella
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The Secrets of Flowers
Book SynopsisI was in awe reading this book, wonderfully written, fascinating history and brought with it the scent of all those flowers. A delight for my senses.' Milly JohnsonThe Lost Bookshop meets The Keeper of Stories in this utterly heart-warming story about friendship, hope and a mystery hidden in the language of flowersThe smallest treasures can hold the biggest mysteriesOne year after her husband's death Emma has become a wallflower, hiding among the brighter blooms in the florist where she works.But when a colleague invites her to a talk on the Titanic, she begins a quest to uncover who arranged the flowers on board.As Emma discovers the lost story of the girl and the great ship, she realises that flowers may unlock long buried secrets in her own lifeWill she be able to unlock the mystery of the Titanic and heal her heart too?Escape into the world of Sally Page with the perfect summer read for a weekend away or cosying up in your favourite armchair! From the author of phenomenal bestselle
£9.49
Orenda Books Boys Who Hurt
Book SynopsisFresh from maternity leave, Detective Elma investigates complex case of a man murdered in a holiday cottage, while Sævar discovers something in a discarded box that could help crack the case. The multi-award-winning, NUMBER ONE bestselling Forbidden Iceland series continues… ‘She uses complex plots to explore how monsters are made and demonstrate that “evil can lurk behind the most attractive of smiles”. Her many characters are people not puppets and she delights in pulling the rug from under their –and our – feet. If you have never read Aegisdottir, now is the time to start’ Mark Sanderson, The Times ‘Meticulously plotted, this beautifully written novel has it all: a shocking murder, small-town secrets, a cast of suspicious characters and a compelling female detective … Eva Björg Aegisdóttir at her best’ Lesley Kara
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group The Quiet Tenant
Book Synopsis''Clémence Michallon has written a classic'' James Patterson''Beautifully written, entirely convincing and relentlessly gripping ... so brilliantly told, with characters so plausible and compelling, that I was hooked until the last word'' Sophie Hannah''Wonderful'' Robert Gold''Gripping'' Daily Express''A brilliant, breathtaking thriller'' Abigail Dean, bestselling author of Girl AAidan Thomas is a hardworking family man respected by his local town. He''s the kind of man who always has a good word for everyone. He''s also a kidnapper and serial killer who has murdered eight women. And there''s a ninth, a woman he calls Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed.When Aidan''s wife dies, he''s forced to move and has no choice but to bring Rachel too. He knows that after five years of captivity, Rachel is too frightened of the consequences to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and a surv
£8.99
Image Comics The Sacrificers Volume 2
Book SynopsisTomorrow is a harmonious paradise thanks to five families who make everything perfect... for the price of one child per household. Now, as that bill comes due, a son expected to give everything for a family that never loved him and an affluent daughter determined to destroy utopia must unite to end one generation''s unnaturally protracted reign. Collects issues #7-12.
£13.49
Orenda Books Someone Like Her: The exquisite, heart-wrenching,
Book SynopsisA young Pakistani woman is the victim of an unthinkable act of vengeance, when she defies convention for love, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges and danger as she attempts to rebuild her life. ‘Stunning, shocking, compulsive reading … A breathtaking masterpiece’ Hazel Prior ‘Pacy, gripping and fast-moving … I literally could not put it down!’ Edel Coffey ‘Rarely has a writer affected me so deeply. Someone Like Her is an epic story of love, power and extraordinary courage’ A.J. West –––––––––––––––––––– Multan, Pakistan. A conservative city where an unmarried woman over the age of twenty-five is considered a curse by her family. Ayesha is twenty-seven. Independent and happily single, she has evaded an arranged marriage because of her family's reduced circumstances. When she catches the eye of powerful, wealthy Raza, it seems like the answer to her parents' prayers. But Ayesha is in love with someone else, and when she refuses to give up on him, Raza resorts to unthinkable revenge… Ayesha travels to London to rebuild her life and there she meets Kamil, an emotionally damaged man who has demons of his own. They embark on a friendship that could mean salvation for both of them, but danger stalks Ayesha in London, too. With her life thrown into turmoil, she is forced to make a decision that could change her and everyone she loves forever. Exquisitely written, populated by unforgettable characters and rich with poignant, powerful themes, Someone Like Her is a story of love and family, of corruption and calamity, of courage and hope … and one woman's determination to thwart convention and find peace, at whatever cost… –––––––––––––––––––– ‘Khan brings passion and a clear eye to this compelling story of female defiance in the face of corruption and violence. If you’re a fan of Khaled Hosseini … this is for you’ Paul Waters ‘A heart-rending and compelling story. Khan treats his characters with love and respect. I couldn’t put it down’ Alice Clark-Platts ‘Breaks your heart but then gradually heals it’ Mira V Shah ‘A dark and frightening story of corruption, oppression, possession and violence yet is beautifully and sensitively written by a brave, bold author’ Michael Wood ‘Tackles deep-rooted societal issues with brutal yet touching honesty’ A.A. Chaudhuri ‘An excellent storyteller’ Soniah Kamal ‘An epic story of love, abuse and revenge … an emotional rollercoaster as Awais Khan confronts societal injustices with unflinching honesty’ Eve Smith ‘Khan lays bare the trauma of women, relegated to second-class citizenship in this compelling tale of brutality and bravery. First-class writing’ Marion Todd ‘Tender and powerful … his best yet’ Sonia Velton ‘Compelling, painful and defiant’ Elyse John ‘Arguably Khan's best work’ Pakistan Daily ‘Kept me turning the pages late into the night’ Aliya Ali-Afzal ‘A gripping and emotive story of ambition, resilience and love’ Heleen Kist ‘Insightful storytelling’ Faiqa Mansab ‘Both timely and timeless’ Saba Karim Khan
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Antkind A Novel
Book SynopsisThe bold and boundlessly original debut novel from the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Synecdoche, New York.Riotously funny' New York TimesJust as loopy and clever as his movies' Washington PostB. Rosenberger Rosenberg, neurotic and underappreciated film critic (failed academic, filmmaker, paramour, shoe salesman who sleeps in a sock drawer), stumbles upon a hitherto unseen film by an enigmatic outsider a three-month-long stop-motion masterpiece that took its reclusive auteur ninety years to complete. Convinced that the film will change his career trajectory and rock the world of cinema to its core, that it might possibly be the greatest movie ever made, B. knows that it is his mission to show it to the rest of humanity. The only problem: the film is destroyed, leaving him the sole witness to its inadvertently ephemeral genius.All that's left is a single frame from which B. must somehow attempt to recall the work of art thTrade Review‘Magnificent … crammed with insanely creative gags’ Guardian ‘Outstanding. Combining his films’ most urgent themes and recurring concerns in a format that supports the digressions and logic-loops he’s so famous for, Charlie Kaufman may have out-Kaufmaned himself’ The i ‘A very strong debut novel, a long, anguished spill of a book, full of buried furies and nervy philosophical expeditions, constantly tossing off sparks of humour and imagination … at once surreal and highly readable’ LA Times ‘Marked by a feverish genius. Antkind is Kaufman pushing himself to every formal and social limit, no holds barred, bleak and devastating, yet marvellous’ LA Times Review of Books ‘Magnificent, genius, enraging, mysterious, joyous, terrifying and, above all, hilarious! Antkind might contain the universe’ Andrew Sean Greer, author of Less ‘A full-throttled absurdist revolt against the constraints of the audience-tested mass entertainment, Antkind is unbridled Kaufman energy and wit coming up against the limits of the imagination itself: discursive, subversive, and genuinely funny’ Joshua Ferris, author of Then We Came to the End ‘To paraphrase Charlie Kaufman, it’s like a brain factory in there! This is a whopper of a book, bursting with the driest of humour, the strangest of scenarios, and the most brilliant of observations. It is wholly original, maddening, and marvellous’ Susan Orlean, author of The Library Book ‘Each page is so stuffed with invention, audacity and hilarity, it feels like an act of defiance. Antkind is a fever dream you don’t want to be shaken awake from, a thrill ride that veers down stranger and stranger alleys until you find yourself in a reality so kaleidoscopic you will question your own sanity. Or: the novel only Charlie Kaufman could pull off’ Maria Semple, author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette
£12.28
Little, Brown Book Group Fire from Heaven: A Novel of Alexander the Great:
Book SynopsisAlexander's beauty, strength and defiance were apparent from birth, but his boyhood honed those gifts into the makings of a king. His mother, Olympias, and his father, King Philip of Macedon, fought each other for their son's loyalty, teaching Alexander politics and vengeance from the cradle. His love for the youth Hephaistion taught him trust, while Aristotle's tutoring provoked his mind and Homer's Iliad fuelled his aspirations. Killing his first man in battle at the age of twelve, he became regent at sixteen and commander of Macedon's cavalry at eighteen, so that by the time his father was murdered, Alexander's skills had grown to match his fiery ambition.Trade ReviewRenault's skill is in immersing us in their world, drawing us into its strangeness, its violence and beauty ... a literary conjuring trick ... so convincing and passionately conjured The Times Mary Renault is a shining light to both historical novelists and their readers. She does not pretend the past is like the present, or that the people of ancient Greece were just like us. She shows us their strangeness; discerning, sure-footed, challenging our values, piquing our curiosity, she leads us through an alien landscape that moves and delights us Hilary Mantel The Alexander Trilogy contains some of Renault's finest writing. Lyrical, wise, compelling: the novels are a wonderful imaginative feat Sarah Waters All my sense of the ancient world - its values, its style, the scent of its wars and passions - comes from Mary Renault. I turned to writing historical fiction because of something I learned from Renault: that it lets you shake off the mental shackles of your own era, all the categories and labels, and write freely about what really matters to you Emma Donoghue Mary Renault's portraits of the ancient world are fierce, complex and eloquent, infused at every turn with her life-long passion for the Classics. Her characters live vividly both in their own time, and in ours Madeline Miller The Alexander Trilogy stands as one of the most important works of fiction in the 20th century ... it represents the pinnacle of [Renault's] career ... Renault's skill is in immersing us in their world, drawing us into its strangeness, its violence and beauty. It's a literary conjuring trick like all historical fiction - it can only ever be an approximation of the truth. But in Renault's hands, the trick is so convincing and passionately conjured. -- Antonia Senior The Times
£999.99
Profile Books Ltd The Last Girlfriend on Earth
Book SynopsisIt doesn't matter if you're a caveman, a time traveller or a regular person. Sooner or later, someone's going to break your heart. The sketches in Simon Rich's new book are bizarre, funny, and - if you've ever been in love - all too familiar. From the invisible man stalking his ex, to Sherlock Holmes' only blind spot, The Last Girlfriend on Earth is always enchanting, often sweet, though occasionally awkward. Just like love itself. 'The Last Girlfriend On Earthis silly, surreal, sometimes sad and always laugh-out-loud funny. This collection will have you giggling/crying/squirming in recognition, and wondering what exactly Simon Rich has eaten to dream all this stuff up ... pulls off the tough trick of being both heart-warming and hilarious - it's a must-read if you've ever so much as had a crush on someone' Heat 'Pithy, occasionally bonkers' Time Out 'Truly hilarious' Eva Wiseman, ObserverTrade ReviewSimon Rich is outrageously, lavishly gifted -- Caitlin MoranA James Thurber for our times, in Borges' suit wearing Flann O'Brien's hat -- Ian McMillan * BBC Radio 3 The Verb *Brilliant: a kind of modern version of Woody Allen's Without Feathers for anyone who's been in love ... topsy-turvy imaginative, riotously funny, hugely insightful ... Rich has a wisdom about male-female interaction that most have to wait far, far longer than 28 years to gain. -- Tom Cox * Observer *A collection of sweet stories full of whimsical, gently moving tales of love and loss, thwarted come-ons and doomed crushes... Put it in your pocket and take it out whenever you need a five minute break from the tedium of everyday. -- Lynn Enright * The Gloss *Most original and highly amusing. Rich manages to turn the banal into the absurd... hilarious and touching... and impossible to put down. A perfect cheer-up for the romantically challenged! -- Rachel Glover * Image *The Last Girlfriend On Earthis silly, surreal, sometimes sad and always laugh-out-loud funny. This collection will have you giggling/crying/squirming in recognition, and wondering what exactly Simon Rich has eaten to dream all this stuff up ... This collection pulls off the tough trick of being both heart-warming and hilarious -it's a must-read if you've ever so much as had a crush on someone * Heat *Pithy, occasionally bonkers... expect any weeping to be of the laughter-induced variety -- David Clack * Time Out *Truly hilarious -- Observer * Eva Wiseman *There are many episodes to enjoy ... The scenarios are satisfyingly wide-ranging ... an irreverent pleasure. -- Frank Brinkley * Literary Review *A laugh-out-loud collection of short stories about that crazy little thing called love. * Vogue Australia *If you buy only one quirky, surreal collection of comedy short stories about relationships this year, make it Simon Rich's The Last Girlfriend on Earth ... an endlessly inventive, laugh-out-loud book ... It's fairly spooky that Rich, though still in his 20s, has such telling and very humorous insights into the shortcomings and sensitivities of the male psyche ... this is a one-night stand you will definitely want to tell your friends about. * Jewish Chronicle *The Last Girlfriend on Earth had me giggling out loud -- Emma Sells * ELLE *A quirky and amusing collection -- Julian Fleming * Sunday Business Post *The Last Girlfriend on Earth shows off Rich's special talent for finding emotional truth in surreal premises -- Hugh Montgomery * Independent on Sunday *The Last Girlfriend on Earth and Other Love Stories by Simon Rich is my holiday reading recommendation. Read it on the plane with caution - you will laugh so loud people will think you're having some sort of episode. -- Lauren Laverne * ELLE *Rich is arguably the wittiest American humourist of his generation. -- Ryan Gilbey * Guardian *
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Our Stop The funny romantic and feelgood top
Book SynopsisJoyful, romantic and life-affirming.' Red MagazineIt had me totally gripped.' Beth O'Leary, author of The FlatshareA love story that is guaranteed to make you smile.' CloserWhat if you almost missed the love of your life?Nadia gets the 7.30 train every morning without fail. Well, except if she oversleeps or wakes up at her friend Emma's after too much wine.Daniel really does get the 7.30 train every morning, which is easy because he hasn't been able to sleep properly since his dad died.One morning, Nadia's eye catches sight of a post in the daily paper:To the cute girl with the coffee stains on her dress. I'm the guy who's always standing near the doors Drink sometime?So begins a not-quite-romance of near-misses, true love, and the power of the written word.A #1 ebook bestseller, this wonderful will-they-won't-they romance is perfectfor those who loved Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare and Mhairi McFarlane's If I Never Met You.******What readers are saying about Our StopWhat a gorgeous, quiTrade Review Praise for Our Stop: ‘A fresh, smart, modern rom com. This is romance seen through the wry eyes of a cynic, and that's what makes it so special – and, ultimately, so uplifting. It had me totally gripped.’ Beth O’Leary, author of The Flatshare ‘The joyful, romantic and life-affirming love story you need in your suitcase this summer!’ Red Magazine ‘A gorgeously hilarious and heartwarming tale of two people who just keep missing each other but are surely meant to be.’ Rachel, Waterstones Bookseller ‘A love story that is guaranteed to make you smile.’ Closer ‘So funny and wonderful and life affirming … Reminded me in the most complimentary way possible of One Day in December by Josie Silver, which I also adored.’ Lorna Cook, #1 bestselling author of The Forgotten Village ‘If you liked The Flatshare then you will LOVE Our Stop!’ Sarah, Waterstones Bookseller ‘Our Stop is everything I didn't know I needed in a book … Exactly the joyful escapism you need for your next beach holiday.’ Lucy Vine ‘Hilarious, heart-warming and truly authentic – your modern rom com must-read!’ Hello! ‘Tender, energetic and authentic … Such a current love story, but so timeless too. I adored Nadia and Daniel.’ Daisy Buchanan ‘This is the laugh-out-loud love story you need to read this summer.’ Glamour ‘We devoured this book in one sitting!’ Bella Magazine ‘Laura Jane Williams offers another dose of smart, sisterly storytelling … You can practically feel modern romance evolving as you’re reading it.’ Emma Jane Unsworth, Observer ‘This is the feminist rom-com of the summer!’ Holly Bourne, author of How Do You Like Me Now? ‘Williams uses the importance of intellectual connection and humor rather than physical attraction to create a love story between two strangers.’ Book Riot
£7.59
Oneworld Publications Zuleikha: The International Bestseller
Book Synopsis WINNER OF THE BIG BOOK AWARD, THE LEO TOLSTOY YASNAYA POLYANA AWARD AND THE BEST PROSE WORK OF THE YEAR AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 READ RUSSIA PRIZE RUNNER-UP FOR THE EBRD LITERATURE PRIZE, 2020 Zuleikha is the model of a dutiful wife. Biddible and meek, she has resigned herself to brutal treatment at the hands of her cruel husband and the carping of her despotic mother-in-law. While Russia reels in the aftermath of its recent revolution, life in her small Tatar village is relatively untouched. Or so it seems to Zuleikha, until the day her husband is executed by communist soldiers. Zuleikha is exiled to Siberia and forced to leave behind everything she knows. Yet in that harsh, desolate wilderness, she begins to build a new life for herself and discovers an inner strength she never knew she had. This is a supremely ambitious epic about one woman's determination, not only to survive, but to flourish in the face of the greatest adversity.Trade Review‘A powerful account of individual lives trapped in one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century.’ * The Times *‘Yakhina’s prose can be exquisite, especially in sequences such as the one where Zuleikha watches prisoners escaping from the train… It is Zuleikha’s perspective and the way in which she adapts that capture our attention. The unexpected birth of a son.. and her transformation from a passive to a powerful protagonist is one of the joys of Yakhina’s work.’ * Financial Times *‘Written in a rich and highly visual prose... Zuleikha's story is one of injustice and pain, but also of a woman's emancipation and renewal.’ * Associated Press *‘As we watch its heroine’s existence devolve from an oppressive domestic servitude into something disastrously worse, Guzel Yakhina’s sprawling, ambitious first novel Zuleikha reminds us just how brutal the Soviet system was… Zuleikha does an admirable job of dramatizing a historical period rapidly receding into the forgotten past… Dramatic and eventful, Zuleikha sweeps us into a distant era.’ * New York Times Book Review *'Guzel Yakhina's novel hits the heart. It’s a powerful anthem for love and tenderness in hell.' * Ludmila Ulitskaya, author of The Big Green Tent * 'An intimate story of human endurance.' * The Calvert Journal *‘While many writers have attempted to comprehend Soviet history's darkest moment, Yakhina finds a way to make it new.’ * Russia Beyond the Headlines *'A forceful, award-winning and debate-sparking debut novel about life in the Gulag… The novel pulsates with tension...a big, bold and fascinating book.' * Supamodu *'It is 1930 in the Soviet Union and Josef Stalin's dekulakization programme has found its pace. Among the victims is a young Tatar family: the husband murdered, the wife exiled to Siberia. This is her story of survival and eventual triumph. Winner of the 2015 Russian Booker prize, this debut novel draws heavily on the first-person account of the author's grandmother, a Gulag survivor.' * The Millions, 'Most Anticipated Books of 2019' *‘This is a powerful Russian saga, giving an immense overview of life under communist rule... This author is a master at painting an image of the world as it was then.’ * Marjorie's World of Books, blog review *‘Zuleikha has an energy that is hard to resist.’ * Strong Words *'There’s something that Guzel Yakhina succeeds in transmitting with an amazing, sharp exactness: a woman’s attitude towards love. Not towards a subject of love, but towards love itself.' * Anna Narinskaya, literary critic *‘Yakhina's debut novel has shaken the Russian book world so deeply over its first three years of life that her second book topped the 2018 sales charts alongside international bestsellers by Dan Brown and Jojo Moyes... This tale of a woman who holds onto compassion while enduring atrocity also features cinematic narration and intricate plot construction.’ * Meduza, 2019's top Russia-Related Books *'Cinematic… The cast of characters is kaleidoscopic, from all walks of life and all drawn with a visual detail that makes them inhabit the page… Yakhina has a beautiful feel for the natural environment.' -- Rights in Russia
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd The Searcher
Book Synopsis''Terrific - terrifying, amazing'' STEPHEN KING ''Completely, indescribably magnificent'' MARIAN KEYES ----- A DISAPPEARANCE. A SMALL TOWN. A QUESTION THAT NEEDS ANSWERING... Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a remote Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force, and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But then a local kid comes looking for his help. His brother has gone missing, and no one, least of all the police, seems to care. Cal wants nothing to do with any kind of investigation, but somehow he can''t make himself walk away. Soon Cal will discover that even in the most idyllic small town, secrets lie hidden, people aren''t always what they seem, and trouble can come calling at his door. A gripping tale of breath-taking beauty and suspense that asks how we decide what''s right and wrong in a world where neither is simple, and what we risk if we fail. WINTER RICHARD AND JUDY BOOKCLUB PICK THE SUNDAY TIMES PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2021 THE TIMES PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2021 FT BEST BOOK OF 2020 THE GUARDIAN BEST CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF 2020 THE TIMES THRILLER OF THE YEAR 2020 ----- ''I''m a big fan of Tana French'' IAN RANKIN ''I didn''t want it to end'' HARRIET TYCE ''To say Tana French is one of the great thriller writers is really too limiting. Rather she''s simply this: a truly great writer'' GILLIAN FLYNN ''Immersive and atmospheric ... Cal and Trey could very well be the new sort of heroes we need in this strange world'' ARAMINTA HALL ''This is a tour de force of suspense and storytelling. Comes closer to perfection than anything I''ve read in the last decade'' SARAH HILARY ''The Searcher is its own kind of masterpiece'' WASHINGTON POST ''One of the most compulsive psychological mysteries since Donna Tartt''s The Secret History'' THE TIMES ''French offers a masterclass in unreliability'' SUNDAY TIMES ''[Crime fiction''s] biggest contemporary star'' GUARDIAN ''One of the finest writers of contemporary crime fiction'' THE DAILY MAIL ''An audacious departure for this immensely talented author . . . not to be missed'' THE NEW YORK TIMES ''Nuanced and compelling'' THE NEW YORKERTrade ReviewThis is a tour de force of suspense and storytelling. Comes closer to perfection than anything I've read in the last decade -- SARAH HILARYFrench offers a masterclass in unreliability * SUNDAY TIMES *A story of redemption and friendship, love and betrayal, it is a work of great strength and beauty * DAILY MAIL *This is a tour de force of suspense and storytelling. Comes closer to perfection than anything I've read in the last decade -- SARAH HILARYThis is a tour de force of suspense and storytelling. Comes closer to perfection than anything I've read in the last decade -- SARAH HILARYFrench offers a masterclass in unreliability * SUNDAY TIMES *This is completely, indescribably magnificent. Tana French is a pure genius -- MARIAN KEYESA story of redemption and friendship, love and betrayal, it is a work of great strength and beauty * DAILY MAIL *
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
Book SynopsisTrade Review“If her opening salvo is any indication, Allen promises to show the relentlessness of the trauma Black women deal with every day leavened with the solidarity of friends who can relate.” — New York Times Book Review “Emotional, funny, and heartbreakingly real.” — Popsugar “It’s a good thing that this is only the first book of a trilogy, because after getting to know Tabitha, you won’t want to leave her at the end…Written intimately as if you’re peering into the mind of a close friend, this book is a true testament to the stresses on women today and how great girlfriends (and grandmothers) are often the key to our sanity.” — Good Morning America “Black Girls Must Die Exhausted encapsulates the infinite expectations and challenges thrown in the direction of Black women while also confronting the ways women are gaslit and thrown into impossible situations that they have no choice but to overcome. This is a novel about female friendship, the weight of the future, and learning to accept that you can want what you truly want.” — Shondaland “The first in a series of three novels that follow Los Angeles–based reporter Tabitha Walker. The thirtysomething journalist is forced to reevaluate her priorities when life laughs at the checklist she has devised for being a perfect adult. Readers will find themselves deeply invested in her relatable quest to become a mother before her biological clock runs out—and will recognize their own relationships in her enduring bonds with her homegirls.” — Essence “This contemporary first book of a series focusing on modern womanhood will appeal to many readers.” — Ms. Magazine “An impossible-to-put-down novel chronicling Tabitha Walker’s extremely relatable journey through relationships – with men, friends, family, and most importantly, herself. With finely-drawn characterizations and touching life lessons, Jayne Allen paints Tabitha’s “adulting” journey with heartbreaking, heartwarming strokes that stayed with me long after I’d finished reading. (On a personal note, as a Black woman who struggles with infertility, it’s so refreshing that Allen sheds a light on this rarely-told story.) Sign me up for the trilogy!” — Tia Williams, award-winning author of The Perfect Find and Seven Days in June “Black Girls Must Die Exhausted is a smart, sophisticated portrait of three very different women, united in both their struggles and their joy. Allen seamlessly blends sharp social commentary with a heartwarming story of friendship between irresistibly complex characters. A fresh, punch-packing debut from an author to watch!” — Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read "A a story for our times, dealing with urgent, important themes in an exhilaratingly entertaining way. Tabby, the gutsy heroine navigating her way through the challenges of life for a thirty-something, Black professional woman, is a wonderfully relatable character who had me rooting for her from the very first page. The choices Tabby has to make will resonate with anyone trying to stay true to themselves in balancing their personal and career aspirations. I was beguiled by the warmth and humanity that shine throughout the book, particularly in Tabby’s relationships with her beloved grandmother and her spirited friends. Jayne Allen has created a fresh, modern and uplifting book that left me wanting more. I adored it." — Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of The Cactus “Black Girls Must Die Exhausted follows the heartwarming journey of a young woman who is thrust out of survival mode and into living—really living. Love and magic jump off the pages, which are chock full of relatable moments that offer hope and encouragement along the way.” — Trisha R. Thomas, author of Nappily Ever After "Allen writes in a sharp, lively voice that is full of warmth and humor...Tabitha and her friends are well-drawn, and it is the dynamic between the protagonist and the women in her life that propels the story. Touching on issues of professional womanhood, race, and family, the author crafts a novel that is both timely and enjoyable." — Kirkus “A promising debut… Allen has the chops to become a terrific storyteller.” — Publishers Weekly “Allen's debut novel. . . captures the complexities of Black women coming into adulthood while learning to manage the disappointments and expectations placed on them by society.” — Booklist "Allen crafts an engaging and evenly plotted story of a woman who, after learning that she has only a limited window in which to have children, evaluates her relationships and personal aspirations....readers will readily connect with her search for fulfillment on her journey of self-discovery." — The BookLife Prize
£9.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club
Book SynopsisThree women. Three different stages of life. United by one thing: the chance to start again. An independent.ie '50 hottest summer reads of 2021' pick! 'Hogan presciently taps into the pursuit of these pandemic times' – RTÉ 'Charming... Full of pathos and humour. A heartwarming page-turner that would be perfect for staycation reading' – Irish Independent on Saturday 'Uplifting, emotional and brimming with warmth and humour' – Cathy Bramley When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, the only person she can turn to is her friend, Jo. Soon Jo has called in her daughter, Lucy, to help save Elizabeth from bankruptcy. Leaving her old life behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start. As life slowly begins to return to normal, these three women, thrown together by circumstance, become fast friends. But then Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news. In search of solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish Sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice that will bring the whole community together... From bestselling Irish writer Faith Hogan, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is an emotional story about finding new friends and living life to the fullest, that will appeal to fans of Sheila O'Flanagan, Heidi Swain and Liz Fenwick. Praise for Faith Hogan: 'Joyful, life-affirming and inspirational' – Heidi Swain 'Heartwarming and emotional' – Liz Fenwick 'A heart-rending, uplifting and beautifully written journey of female friendship... I loved being transported to Ireland's wild Atlantic coast' – Phillipa Ashley 'Faith Hogan navigates beautifully between the community and the individual, forensically investigating moral issues and loyalties with an unflinching, yet humane eye. She is one of the most original and exciting writers to emerge from Ireland in recent times' – Afric McGlinchey 'An intricately woven story of love, jealousy and misunderstanding' – Diney Costeloe 'A cracking good story... An ideal beach read' – Connaught Telegraph 'A fantastic summer read' – Irish Daily Star 'A heart-warming story of love, loss, family and friendship' – The Bookseller 'Spanning several decades and generations, Secrets We Keep is a hugely ambitious novel... With its engaging storyline and sense of place this is an absorbing and entertaining read' – Sunday Independent (Dublin)Trade ReviewUplifting, emotional and brimming with warmth and humour -- Cathy BramleyJoyful, life-affirming and inspirational -- Heidi SwainA beautifully written, heart-rending but ultimately uplifting read set on Ireland's wild Atlantic coast. I loved it -- Phillipa AshleyHogan presciently taps into the pursuit of these pandemic times * RTÉ *Charming... Full of pathos and humour. A heartwarming page-turner that would be perfect for staycation reading' * Irish Independent on Saturday *A lovely and emotional read that revels in the importance of community, female friendship and the determination to never, ever give in * Woman's Own *Transporting readers to the beautiful Irish countryside, Faith Hogan's latest contemporary novel is a heart-warming story of friendship, living your best life and learning to take chances * CultureFly *An everyday life story with fantastic characters. I shed a few tears * Yours *
£8.54
Europa Editions (UK) Ltd The Lost Daughter
Book SynopsisA NEW EDITION TO TIE IN WITH THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILM DIRECTED BY MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, STARRING OLIVIA COLMAN, DAKOTA JOHNSON AND PAUL MESCAL From the international bestselling author of MY BRILLIANT FRIEND Leda is devoted to her work as an English teacher and to her two children. When her daughters leave home to be with their father in Canada, Leda anticipates a period of loneliness and longing. Instead, slightly embarrassed by the sensation, she feels liberated, as if her life has become lighter, easier. She decides to take a holiday by the sea, in a small coastal town in southern Italy. But after a few days of calm and quiet, things begin to take a menacing turn. Leda encounters a family whose brash presence proves unsettling, at times even threatening. When a small, apparently meaningless, event occurs, Leda is overwhelmed by memories of the difficult and unconventional choices she made as a mother and their consequences for herself and her family. The seemingly serene tale of a woman’s pleasant rediscovery of herself soon becomes the story of a ferocious confrontation with an unsettled past. The Lost Daughter is a compelling and perceptive meditation on womanhood and motherhood, exploring the conflicting emotions that tie us to our children. 18M copies of Elena Ferrante's books sold worldwideTrade Review"Ferrante's novels are tactile and sensual, visceral and dizzying." * The Guardian *"It’s Leda’s voice that’s hypnotic, and it’s the writing that makes it that way. Ferrante can do a woman’s interior dialogue like no one else, with a ferocity that is shockingly honest, unnervingly blunt" * Booklist *"Ferrante's gift for psychological horror renders it immediate and visceral" * The New Yorker *"Ferrante is a hypnotist." * The Spectator *"[Ferrante] describes the female experience so intimately and so vividly that the reader feels like she could (and should) know the writer personally." * New York Magazine *“A raw, gritty and gripping meditation of the difficulties of motherhood.” * The Observer *“An absorbingly shaped psychological drama, built around a single traumatising event from which the action metastasises.” * The Guardian *“Subtly daring.” * The Financial Times *“Entirely gripping….. a literary film with a literary script.” * The Spectator *“Sadness is lanced through the heart of Gyllenhaal’s film, which she both adapted and directed, but it’s rich and luxurious in its texture.” * The Independent *“Adapted from Elena Ferrante’s novel of the same name, The Lost Daughter is a heady exercise in restraint." * NME *
£8.54
Oneworld Publications Frankenstein in Baghdad: SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN
Book Synopsis WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR ARABIC FICTION A SATIRICAL REIMAGINING OF MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN SET IN MODERN-DAY BAGHDAD, BRILLIANTLY CAPTURING THE HORROR OF A CITY AT WAR From the rubble-strewn streets of US-occupied Baghdad, Hadi collects body parts from the dead, which he stitches together to form a corpse. He claims he does it to force the government to recognise the parts as real people, and give them a proper burial. But when the corpse goes missing, a wave of eerie murders sweeps across the city, and reports stream in of a horrendous-looking, flesh-eating monster that cannot be killed. At first it's the guilty he attacks, but soon it's anyone who crosses his path... 'A remarkable book' Observer WINNER OF THE KITSCHIES GOLDEN TENTACLE AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD 2019 Trade Review‘Strange, violent and wickedly funny... A remarkable achievement, and one that, regrettably, is unlikely ever to lose its urgent relevancy.’ Guardian‘[A] biting satire of Iraqi life and sectarian disputes.’ Financial Times‘[Saadawi is] Baghdad’s new literary star.’ New York Times‘Helped by Jonathan Wright’s elegant and witty translation, which reaches for and attains bracing pathos, Saadawi’s novel mixes a range of characters and their voices to surprising, even jolting effect...a remarkable book.’ Observer‘A darkly delightful novel… Detective story and satire as well as gothic horror, Frankenstein in Baghdad provides a tragicomic take on a society afflicted by fear, and a parable concerning responsibility and justice.’ New Statesman'Expertly told... A significant addition to contemporary Arabic fiction.' Judges’ citation, International Prize for Arabic Fiction‘Frankenstein in Baghdad is more than just a black comedy. It’s as much of a crossbreed as its ghoulish hero – part thriller, part horror, part social commentary.’ Financial Times'A nightmarish, but horridly hilarious, tale… Sinister, satirical, ferociously comic but oddly moving.’ Spectator‘Complex but very readable and darkly humorous; it has well-observed characters, whose back stories reflect the wider context.’ Times Literary Supplement'Suffused with macabre humor, this novel captures the bizarre reality of life that is contemporary Baghdad... An important piece of political literature to emerge out of Iraq.' The Week'A dark and fresh examination of the violence in Iraq.' Metro
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd Foe
Book Synopsis'Reads like a house on fire' - the extraordinary new novel by Iain Reid, the acclaimed author of I’m Thinking of Ending Things You think you know everything about your life. Long-married couple Junior and Henrietta live a quiet, solitary life on their farm, where they work at the local feed mill and raise chickens. Their lives are simple, straightforward, uncomplicated.Until everything you think you know collapses. Until the day a stranger arrives at their door with alarming news: Junior has been chosen to take an extraordinary journey, a journey across both time and distance, while Hen remains at home. Junior will be gone for years. But Hen won't be left alone.Who can you trust if you can't even trust yourself? As the time for his departure draws nearer, Junior finds himself questioning everything a
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co The Girl He Used to Know
Book Synopsis''This book is just special'' COLLEEN HOOVER''A must read author. Her voice is wise, tender and refreshing'' TAYLOR JENKINS REIDWhat if you had a second chance at first love?Annika Rose likes being alone. She feels lost in social situations - she says the wrong thing or acts the wrong way. And it''s not her fault, she just can''t read people. So instead she prefers the solitude of her books or playing chess to avoid people!Other Jonathan, of course. Annika liked being around him, but she hasn''t seen him for ten years. Until now, that is. And she''s not sure that he''ll want to see her again after what happened all those years ago... Annika Rose likes being alone. Except that now, actually, she''s beginning to wonder if she likes being alone that much after all.The Girl He Used to Know is an uplifting novel full of surprising revelations that keep you turning the page. Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Gail Honeyman, Jill Santopolo aTrade ReviewTracey Garvis Graves is a must read author. Her voice is wise, tender and refreshing -- Taylor Jenkins ReidI adore Tracey Garvis Graves' work -- Sarah PekkanenTracey Garvis Graves has crafted an incredible story with a unique premise and characters you'll want to root for. The last thirty pages had me on the edge of my seat. This book is beautiful -- Colleen HooverWritten with sensitivity and spot-on truth, this is the most riveting, rewarding, refreshing novel I've read in years. -- Barbara DelinskyTracey Garvis Graves pens a compelling novel with beautifully rendered characters, an extraordinary tale filled with sensitivity and empathy that gives readers a peek into the world of autism through the eyes of a woman who proves to be as audacious as she is charming. Readers, don't you dare miss this love story. -- Kellie Coates GilbertNo one does unexpected romance like Tracey Garvis Graves-and with her latest, Graves has bested even herself. Smart and sensitive, with wholly original characters you can't help but root for, The Girl He Used to Know is unlike any book I've read. I loved every page. -- Camille Pagan
£8.99
Little, Brown Book Group Rules
Book SynopsisFunny, page-turning and addictive... just like Malory Towers for grown-ups - Sophie Kinsella ____________Maggie loves teaching English at beautiful Downey House but she is less keen on planning her wedding to dependable Stan. Instead, she''s working on ignoring her crush on David McDonald, who teaches English at the local boys'' school. Just as Simone and Fliss have become friends, Zelda arrives to upset everything. Zelda is loudly, glamorously American, and she''s full of ways to improve life at boring school. Soon, quiet, mousy Simone is undergoing a makeover. And Fliss is about to jeopardise everything to impress a boy. In a new year at school, the girls of Downey House will be breaking all the rules - and not all of them will escape unscathed. ___________A brilliant boarding school book, stuffed full of unforgettable characters, thrilling adventures and angst... - Lisa JewelTrade ReviewIt's drama ahoy at this posh boarding school and it's not just the pupils who are up to no good. The teachers are at it, too - **** HEATWith plenty of humour and childhood escapades to counterbalance the angst, Rules is escapist, amusing, and top of the class' NEWS OF THE WORLD - Things get complicated in this bubbly novel **** HOT STARS (OK! Magazine)
£8.49
Faber & Faber Flight Behaviour
Book SynopsisDellarobia Turnbow is a restless farm wife who gave up her own plans when she accidentally became pregnant at seventeen. Now, after a decade of domestic disharmony on a failing farm, she has settled for permanent disappointment but seeks momentary escape through an obsessive flirtation with a younger man. As she hikes up a mountain road behind her house to a secret tryst, but instead encounters a shocking sight: a silent, forested valley filled with what looks like a lake of fire. She can only understand it as a cautionary miracle, but it sparks a raft of other explanations from scientists, religious leaders and the media. The bewildering emergency draws rural farmers into unexpected acquaintance with urbane journalists, opportunists, sightseers, and a striking biologist with his own stake in the outcome. As the community lines up to judge the woman and her miracle, Dellarobia confronts her family, her church, her town and a larger world, in a flight toward truth that could undo all sh
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Hungry Tide
Book SynopsisA profound and absorbing saga from the Internationally Bestselling and Man Booker Prize shortlisted author''Amitav Ghosh is such a fascinating and seductive writer I cannot think of another contemporary writer with whom it would be this thrilling to go so far, so fast'' The TimesJanuary 2001: A small ship, led by wealthy Scotsman Daniel Hamilton, arrives in the Sundarbans, a vast archipelago of islands in the mythical river Ganges, a half-drowned land where the waters of the Himalayas merge with the incoming tides of the sea.In the Sundarbans the tides reach more than 100 miles inland, and every day thousands of hectares of forest disappear only to re-emerge hours later. Dense as the mangrove forests are, from Hamilton's point of view, it is only a little less barren than a desert.The eccentric Scotsman and the scientists on board the ship disembark to study this little-known environment, and to trace the journeys of the descendants of this society. Their goal? To create a utopian sociTrade Review'An exceptional writer.' Peter Matthieson ‘A novelist of dazzling ingenuity' San Francisco Chronicle 'A distinctive voice, polished and profound' Times Literary Supplement 'An absorbing story of a world in transition, brought to life through characters who love and suffer with equal intensity.' JM Coetzee 'Ghosh is one of the most sympathetic post-colonial voices to be heard today. He looks at love and loyalty, and examines the question of Empire and responsibility, of tradition and modernity.’ Ahdaf Souief 'Ghosh has established himself as one of the finest prose writers of his generation of Indians writing in English' Financial Times 'Amitav Ghosh is such a fascinating and seductive writer…a deeply serious writer, sure of his human and historical insights and confident in his ability to communicate them. I cannot think of another contemporary writer with whom it would be this thrilling to go so far, so fast' The Times
£9.49
Vintage Publishing Memoirs of a Geisha
Book Synopsis''An epic tale and a brutal evocation of a disappearing world'' The TimesA young peasant girl is sold as servant and apprentice to a renowned geisha house. Many years later she tells her story from a hotel in New York, opening a window into an extraordinary half-hidden world of eroticism and enchantment, exploitation and degradation and summoning up a quarter of a century of Japan''s dramatic history.''Intimate and brutal, written in cool, lucid prose it is a novel whose psychological empathy and historical truths are outstanding'' Mail on SundayTrade ReviewAn epic tale and a beautiful evocation of a rapidly vanishing world * The Times *The sort of novel that novel-lovers yearn for, which is to say, so convincing that while reading it you become transported to another time, another place, and feel you are listening and seeing with someone else's ears and eyes -- Margaret ForsterEndlessly fascinating...a narrative that is both gripping and beautifully paced...a wonderful read * Observer *Sayuri's memoirs reveal Golden to have great gifts of imaginative empathy...fascinating * Independent *This is one of those rare novels that evokes a vanished world with absolute conviction and in every detail... This book is exceptional * Daily Mail *
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton Salems Lot
Book SynopsisWith a stunning new cover look, King''s chilling classic of a small new England town about to be engulfed in terror.Turn off the television - in fact, why don''t you turn off all the lights except for the one over your favourite chair? - and we''ll talk about vampires here in the dim. I think I can make you believe in them. Stephen King, from the Introduction. ''Salem''s Lot is a small New England town with the usual quota of gossips, drinkers, weirdos and respectable folk. Of course there are tales of strange happenings - but not more than in any other town its size.Ben Mears, a moderately successful writer, returns to the Lot to write a novel based on his early years, and to exorcise the terrors that have haunted him since childhood. The event he witnessed in the house now rented by a new resident. A newcomer with a strange allure. A man who causes Ben some unease as things start to happen: a child disappears, a dog is brutally killed -Trade ReviewMr. King's gift of storytelling is unrivaled. His ferocious imagination is unlimited. * George Pelecanos *
£11.69
Simon & Schuster Ltd Last Orders
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE 1996 Four men once close to Jack Dodds, a London butcher, meet to carry out his peculiar last wish: to have his ashes scattered into the sea at Margate. For reasons best known to herself, Jack’s widow, Amy, declines to join them . . . On the surface a simple tale of an increasingly bizarre day’s outing, this Booker-prize winning, internationally acclaimed novel is a resonant and classic exploration of the complexity and courage of ordinary lives. Intensely local but overwhelmingly universal, faithful to the fleeting rhythms and accidental eloquence of everyday speech but also to the timeless truths of life and death, it succeeds in being comic and heartstopping, affectionate and wise, and in conferring on its stumbling, disappointed characters an enduring decency, dignity and depth. ‘A surpassing testament to Swift’s vibrant and powerful gifts’ The Times‘
£8.54
Duckworth Books Bread and War
Book SynopsisA compelling, moving journey through Ukraine, amongst the bakers, chefs, army cooks, volunteers, farmers, small producers and cafe owners who have been fighting to keeppeople fed and hopeful in the midst of the loss, fear and violence of the Russian invasion
£17.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Supernatural John Winchesters Journal
Book SynopsisOn November 2, 1983, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a demonic supernatural force. In the wake of the tragedy, their father, John, set out to learn everything he could about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America ...and how to kill it.
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers Wolf of the Plains
Book SynopsisThe first book in the bestselling Conqueror series featuring Genghis Khan and his descendants.''I am the land and the bones of the hills. I am the winter.''Temujin, the second son of the khan of the Wolves tribe, was only eleven when his father died in an ambush.His family were thrown out of the tribe and left alone, without food or shelter, to starve to death on the harsh Mongolian plains.It was a rough introduction to his life, to a sudden adult world, but Temujin survived, learning to combat natural and human threats. A man, a small family, without a tribe was always at risk but he gathered other outsiders to him, creating a new tribal identity. It was during some of his worst times that the image of uniting the warring tribes and bringing the silver people together came to him. He will become the khan of the sea of grass, Genghis.Trade Review‘Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction’ Daily Mirror ‘Iggulden…tells an absolutely cracking story…the pace is nail-biting and the set dressing magnificent’ The Times ‘Iggulden weaves an entertaining tale of this world of men, swords, bows and the call of war and the plains’ Daily Express ‘I felt as if a blockbuster movie was unfolding before me…read the book before Hollywood takes it over’ Daily Express
£9.49
Vintage Publishing The Gap of Time
Book SynopsisA shining delight of a novel'New York Times ''Clever and beautiful...it soars''Financial Times A baby girl is abandoned, banished from London to the storm-ravaged American city of New Bohemia. Her father has been driven mad by jealousy, her mother to exile by grief. Seventeen years later, Perdita doesn''t know a lot about who she is or where she''s come from - but she''s about to find out. Jeanette Winterson's cover version of The Winter's Tale vibrates with echoes of Shakespeare''s original and tells a story of hearts broken and hearts healed, a story of revenge and forgiveness, a story that shows that whatever is lost shall be found.Emotionally wrought and profoundly intelligent... A supremely clever, compelling and emotionally affecting novel that deserves multiple readings to appreciate its many layers'Mail on Sunday ''There are passages here so coTrade ReviewShe makes us read on, our hearts in our mouths, to see how a twice-told story will turn out this time * Publishers Weekly *The intricacy with which Winterson has plotted her novel against each Shakespearean detail will delight readers familiar with the original … it’s part of a vision of a world in which past, present, and future are lived simultaneously, original and adaptation existing in the same moment. * The Times *A book of considerable beauty… Winterson’s fiction is a fine invitation into this deeply Shakespearean vision of imagination as the best kind of truth-telling -- Rowan Williams * New Statesman *Winterson’s stage, like that of Shakespeare, is filled with wonders -- Frances Wilson * Times Literary Supplement *Winterson is faithful to both the narrative and the spirit of the play, while transposing it to an utterly different and modern setting… There is lightness here, in the frisky prose and the author’s delight in invention, but you are never free of the awareness of dark shadows where danger and corruption lie in wait. -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *Clever and beautiful...it soars * Financial Times *A deeply felt, emotionally intelligent and serious novel, which resists easy answers and yet expresses the hope that human beings can muddle through, and that bad pasts can have good outcomes... Pulsates with such authenticity and imaginative generosity that I defy you not to engage with it. -- Andrew Dickson * Independent *The Winter’s Tale, one of the late, 'problem' plays, is about loss, remorse and forgiveness, and the nature of time. Winterson has captured all this with respect and affection for Shakespeare’s text, and made it new with her own bold and poetic prose and her insights into love and grief. There are passages here so concisely beautiful they give you goosebumps. -- Lucasta Miller * Radar *Emotionally wrought and profoundly intelligent it will pull you into its troubled, wise world of jealousy, paranoia, grief, revenge and forgiveness in some of the most stunning prose you’ll read this year … Winterson masterfully interweaves layers of narrative and themes so that reading the novel is like listening to a Bach prelude and fugue … A supremely clever, compelling and emotionally affecting novel that deserves multiple readings to appreciate its many layers. -- Hannah Beckerman * Mail on Sunday *Engrossing, almost soapily addictive * Independent *
£7.99
Little, Brown Book Group The Novel Habits of Happiness
Book SynopsisThe tenth wonderful story in Alexander McCall Smith's much-loved Isabel Dalhousie series.
£7.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc When the Moon Is Low
Book SynopsisMahmoud's passion for his wife Fereiba, a schoolteacher, is greater than any love she's ever known. But their happy, middle-class world—a life of education, work, and comfort—implodes when their country is engulfed in war, and the Taliban rises to power.Mahmoud, a civil engineer, becomes a target of the new fundamentalist regime and is murdered. Forced to flee Kabul with her three children, Fereiba has one hope to survive: she must find a way to cross Europe and reach her sister's family in England. With forged papers and help from kind strangers they meet along the way, Fereiba make a dangerous crossing into Iran under cover of darkness. Exhausted and brokenhearted but undefeated, Fereiba manages to smuggle them as far as Greece. But in a busy market square, their fate takes a frightening turn when her teenage son, Saleem, becomes separated from the rest of the family.Faced with an impossible choice, Fereiba pushes on with her daughter and baby, while Saleem falls into the shadowy underground network of undocumented Afghans who haunt the streets of Europe's capitals. Across the continent Fereiba and Saleem struggle to reunite, and ultimately find a place where they can begin to reconstruct their lives.Trade Review"Expertly depicting the anxiety and excitement that accompanies a new life, Hashimi's gripping page-turner is perfect for book clubs." -- Library Journal (starred review) "A must-read saga about borders, barriers, and the resolve of one courageous mother fighting to cross over." -- O, the Oprah Magazine
£9.49
Titan Books Ltd Small Town Horror
Book SynopsisFive childhood friends reunite, 20 years later, in their Chesapeake fishing town and are forced to confront their own dark past as well as the curse placed upon them in this paranormal horror masterpiece from the bestselling author of Come with Me.
£9.49
Vintage Publishing Marabou Stork Nightmares
Book SynopsisRoy Strang is engaged in a strange quest in a surrealist South Africa. His mission is to eradicate an evil predator-scavenger bird, the marabou stork, before it drives away the peace-loving flamingo from the picturesque Lake Torto. But behind this world lies another: the world of Roy''s bizarre family, the Scottish housing scheme in which he grew up, his mundane job, a disastrous emigration to Africa, and his youthful life of brutality with a gang of soccer casuals. As one world crashes into the other, this potentially charming story of ornithological goodwill mutates into a filthy tale of violence, abuse and redemption.Trade ReviewA superbly talented writer...anarchic and entirely invigorating * Scotsman *A wonderful success: a funny, cleverly composed, genuinely exciting and assured leap of a novel * New Statesman *Extremely funny... As clever as Alasdair Gray, as elegant as Jeff Torrington, as passionate as James Kelman, Welsh has got it all -- Tibor FischerMind-bendingly good * GQ *Our most vital of contemporary authors * i-D *
£7.49
HarperCollins Publishers UNDER GEMINI
Book SynopsisThe classic bestseller by the acclaimed author of The Shell Seekers and Winter Solstice, now available in a new edition.No two women could have been more different. No two women could have been closerFlora and Rose are identical twins who do not know of each other''s existence. Rose has been raised by her frivolous mother with the glossy international jet set. Flora has spend her childhoold in the beauty and quiet of her father''s Cornish cottage. And then, by chance, they meet.The encounter seems heaven-sent to Rose, who longs to escape from a man she no longer desires. Flora can free her and, in taking her sister''s place, her uneventful life is changed forever. She finds drama and danger and glimpses a happiness beyond her wildest dreams.Trade Review‘Pilcher’s storytelling skills are serene and beguiling’The Times ‘It’s never too soon to discover Rosamunde Pilcher’Good Housekeeping ‘Her genius is to create characters you really care for’Daily Express
£999.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Demon King Book 1 The Seven Realms Series
Book SynopsisThe first book in an epic fantasy series from debut author Cinda Williams Chima. Adventure, magic, war and ambition conspire to throw together an unlikely group of companions in a struggle to save their world.When 16-year-old Han Alister and his Clan friend Dancer encounter three underage wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea, he has no idea that this event will precipitate a cascade of disasters that will threaten everything he cares about.Han takes an amulet from one of the wizards, Micah Bayar, to prevent him from using it against them. Only later does he learn that it has an evil history - it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. And the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana''Marianna, the heir to the Gray Wolf throne of the Fells, has just spent three years of relative freedom with her father''s family at Demonai Camp - riding, hunting, and working the famous Clan markets. NoTrade ReviewPraise for The Demon King:‘The Demon King is a page-turner for any reader, regardless of age.’Robin Hobb ‘Dozens of characters, complex and distinct in personality, are placed with jewel-like precision, set off by dark glints of villainy… [readers] will clamor for the sequel.’Publishers Weekly Praise for Cinda Williams Chima: For The Dragon Heir:Centuries of wizardly scheming, slavery and slaughter reap apocalyptic fallout in this final volume of Chima’s trilogy… Heroes and villains alike are swayed by achingly human motivations into disastrous choices with devastating consequences…The resolution is—like the end of childhood itself—tentatively hopeful, if not triumphant. A superlative accomplishment.Kirkus.
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers The Lady and the Unicorn
Book SynopsisEnormously enjoyable' Evening StandardCharming' The TimesWhat would you have me paint instead of a battle, Madame?'Geneviève de Nanterre's eyes gleamed.A unicorn.'Keen to demonstrate his new-found favour with the King, rising nobleman Jean le Viste commissions six tapestries to adorn the walls of his château. He expects soldiers and bloody battlefields. But artist Nicolas des Innocents instead designs a seductive world of women, unicorns and flowers, using as his muses Le Viste's wife Geneviève and ripe young daughter Claude.In Belgium, as his designs spring to life under the weavers' fingers, Nicolas is inspired once more by the master weaver's daughter Aliénor and her mother Christine. They too will be captured by his threads.Trade Review‘Beautifully written, I could not put it down… a tale of ambition, lust, betrayal and heartbreak…a compelling and enormously enjoyable work' Evening Standard ‘On the academic front, here is the old Chevalier, exact and guarded, accurate and self-contained…On the erotic front, she positively explodes, the shy smiles of Pearl Earring replaced by a terrific torrent of carnal imagery, every sense invoked and appetite exploited’ Guardian 'Tracy Chevalier gives the kiss of life to the historical novel' Independent ‘With great insight, invention and a remarkable eye for detail, Chevalier breathes life into artists and artisans, their subjects and surroundings and, most important, their magnificent creations’ Washington Post ‘The story she weaves is as lush as the tapestries she describes, and her colorful characters leap off the page. A romantic, beautiful book’ Booklist
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd Summer Crossing
Book SynopsisGrady - beautiful, rich, flame-haired, defiant - is the sort of girl people stare at across a room. The daughter of an important man, who people want to be introduced to. A girl to whom people sense something is going to happen ... But her privileged society life of parties, debutantes and dresses leaves her wanting more. And excitement comes in the form of the highly unsuitable Clyde, a Brooklyn-born, Jewish parking attendant. When Grady''s parents leave her alone for the first time in their New York penthouse one summer, their secret affair intensifies. As a heat wave envelops the city, Grady gets in deeper and deeper and cares less about the consequences. Soon, though, she will be forced to make decisions - choices that will forever affect her future once the long, sultry summer comes to an end.
£7.99
Faber & Faber Death in the Andes
Book SynopsisIn an isolated community in the Peruvian Andes, a series of mysterious disappearances has occurred. Army corporal Lituma and his deputy Tomás believe the Shining Path guerrillas are responsible, but the townspeople have their own ideas about the forces that claimed the bodies of the missing men. This riveting novel is filled with unforgettable characters, among them disenfranchised Indians, eccentric local folk, and a couple performing strange cannibalistic sacrifices. As the investigation progresses, Tomás entertains Lituma with the surreal tale of a precarious love affair.Death in the Andes is both a fascinating detective novel and an insightful political allegory. Mario Vargas Llosa offers a panoramic view of Peruvian society, from the recent social upheaval to the cultural influences in its past.
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group Christmas at Mistletoe Cove
Book Synopsis''From that very first chapter you are hooked... you aren''t able to put the book down it is that good... another beautifully written romantic book... A real contender for the best Christmas book 2017!'' Jessica''s Book Biz, 5 starsChristmas has arrived on gorgeous Hope Island, promising snowflakes, surprises and plenty of seasonal romance. So snuggle up and fall in love with a brand-new story from the bestselling author of Christmas at Lilac Cottage...Growing up on Hope Island, Eden Lancaster always believed that if you wished hard enough for something, dreams really could come true. But Eden''s greatest wish is also her biggest secret: she has been completely in love with her childhood friend, the charming and attractive Dougie Harrison, for as long as she can remember. And he has no idea. When Dougie leaves his successful life in New York to return home to Hope Island for good, Eden can''t escape her feelingTrade ReviewMy festive reading isn't complete without diving in to novel full of love, romance, snow and sparkle from Holly Martin. Christmas at Mistletoe Cove is Holly Martin at her best, full of romance, snow and magic. - Lozza s Book Corner, 5 starsChristmas at Mistletoe Cove is as cosy as laying under a blanket with a hot cuppa tea; it truly is a hug in a book. Prepare to fall in love... - The Writing Garnet, 5 starsI didn't want to put it down . . . perfect for a warm and cosy winter evening - Donna s Book Blog, 5 stars
£9.49
Titan Books Ltd Rogues
Book SynopsisThis thrilling collection of twenty-one all-original stories, by an all-star list of contributors, will delight and astonish in equal measure with their cunning twists and dazzling reversals. George R. R. Martin himself offers a brand-new A Game of Thrones tale, chronicling one of the biggest rogues in the entire history of Ice and Fire. Also featuring stories from Gillian Flynn, Joe Abercrombie, Neil Gaiman, Patrick Rothfuss, Scott Lynch and more!Trade Review"Not a single bad story in the bunch... The table of contents alone will make fans from all genre aisles salivate." Library Journal
£13.49
Penguin Books Ltd The Pigeon
Book SynopsisSet in Paris and attracting comparisons with Franz Kafka and Edgar Allan Poe, The Pigeon is Patrick Süskind''s tense, disturbing follow-up to the bestselling Perfume. The novella tells the story of a day in the meticulously ordered life of bank security guard Jonathan Noel, who has been hiding from life since his wife left him for her Tunisian lover. When Jonathan opens his front door on a day he believes will be just like any other, he encounters not the desired empty hallway but an unwelcome, diabolical intruder . . .
£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Nix
Book Synopsis'The best new writer of fiction in America. The best.' – John Irving'Outstanding' – John Boyne, The Irish Times'The best thing a reviewer can do when faced with a novel of this calibre and breadth is to urge you to read it for yourselves.' – The GuardianNathan Hill's brilliant debut, The Nix, journeys from the rural Midwest of the 1960s, to New York City during Occupy Wall Street; from Chicago in 1968, to wartime Norway: home of the mysterious Nix.Meet Samuel: stalled writer, bored teacher at a local college, obsessive player of online video games. He hasn't seen his mother, Faye, in decades, not since she abandoned her family when he was a boy. Now she has suddenly reappeared, having committed an absurd politically motivated crime that electrifies the nightly news, beguiles the Internet, and inflames a divided America.The media paints Faye as a radical hippie with a sordid past, but as far as Samuel knows, his mother was an ordinary girl who married her high-school sweetheart. Which version of his mother is true? Two facts are certain: she's facing some serious charges, and she needs Samuel's help.As Samuel begins to excavate his mother's, and his country's, history, he will unexpectedly find that he has to rethink everything he ever knew about her - a woman with an epic story of her own, a story she has kept hidden from the world.Trade ReviewImpressive that a debutant, Nathan Hill, with his scintillating The Nix has given us a character who comes close to out-Trumping Trump . . . Just one of the many pleasures of this engaging story of a mother and son whose private travails become front-page news. -- New Year Highlights * Observer *Alarmingly good . . . both a Great American Novel as well as a great American novel... aches with all-new relevance. * Guardian *A superb debut novel . . . could well be the most ambitious novel of the year... It seems like Hill is a writer who can do pretty much what he wants. * Daily Telegraph *Compulsive and crazily entertaining -- Anthony Quinn * Observer *We're in the presence of a major new comic novelist . . . a brilliant, endearing writer . . . Readers . . . will be dazzled. * Washington Post *The best new writer of fiction in America. The best. -- John IrvingI got a big kick out of Nathan Hill's impressive first novel, The Nix (Picador), out in the UK next year. Hill's zeitgeisty portrayals of video game addiction and customer-oriented university education are brilliant. -- Lionel Shriver, 'Books of the Year 2016' * Observer *Wonderful. Everything that doesn't involve reading this book is a nuisance and a distraction. -- Sarah Jessica ParkerHill has so much talent to burn that he can pull off just about any style, imagine himself into any person and convincingly portray any place or time. The Nix is hugely entertaining and unfailingly smart, and the author seems incapable of writing a pedestrian sentence or spinning a boring story * New York Times Book Review *There is an accidental topicality in Hill's debut, about an estranged mother and son whose fates hinge on two mirror-image political events - the Democratic Convention of 1968 and the Republican Convention of 2004. But beyond that hook lies a high-risk, high-reward playfulness with structure and tone: comic set pieces, digressions into myth, and formal larks that call to mind Jennifer Egan's A Visit From the Goon Squad. * New York Magazine *It broke my heart, this book. Time after time. It made me laugh just as often. I loved it on the first page as powerfully as I did on the last . . . Nathan Hill? . . . He's gonna be famous. -- National Public RadioThis is a book to get one excited not only about Hill and his future as a novelist, but also about the power of writing to blot out background-noise banality and vault us forward into the new and wondrous. * San Francisco Chronicle *Nathan Hill Is Compared to John Irving. Irving Compares Him to Dickens. * New York Times *Hill skillfully blends humor and darkness, imagery and observation. He also excels at describing technology, addition, cultural milestones, and childhood ordeals. Cameos by [the famous] add heart and perspective to this rich, lively take on American social conflict, real and invented, over the last half-century. * Publishers' Weekly, starred and boxed review *This guy has chops -- Jay McInerneyA great sprawling feast of a first novel . . . both darkly satirical and uproariously funny . . . Hill writes with an astonishingly sure hand for a young author . . . Let's just call him the real thing. * Newsday *Dazzling . . . rich and multilayered . . . the debut of an important new writer, able to variously make readers laugh out loud while providing a melancholy, resonant tale that argues "there is no greater ache than this: guilt and regret in equal measure." * USA Today *The Nix is a timely mass-media and political satire, a family saga and two bildungsromans rolled into one ? and, in each facet, Nathan Hill crafts a hilarious, observant, unputdownable tale. * Huffington Post *By turns, wickedly funny, shockingly wise, touching and thought-provoking . . . a rich buffet of a novel. * Toronto Star *A fantastic novel about love, betrayal, politics and pop culture - as good as the best Michael Chabon or Jonathan Franzen. * People *A stunning debut . . . the first book I’ve read in two decades that earns the title Great American Novel. -- Liesl Schillinger, 'What’s the Best Book, New or Old, You Read This Year?' * New York Times *Not only dramatising America’s great tussle between minority interests and Midwestern grievances, [The Nix] even features a rogue presidential candidate who talks about immigrants as though they are coyotes damaging crops . . . But it’s the human drama of a relationship between a son and his mother (too busy protesting in the Sixties to bring him up) that will keep you hooked while you think. * GQ *This self-assured, sprawling debut is about the relationship between a college professor and his mother. It's a dense, satirical piece of fiction which offers commentary on the American history and modern technology. This novel is more relevant than ever in these tech-crazed times of mass media and political turmoil. With J.J. Abrams adapting it for a miniseries starring none other than Meryl Streep, The Nix is definitely one of the highlights of 2017 * Wales Arts Review *I have not read anything like this since . . . Jonathan Franzen . . . Gripping and funny. * Evening Standard *My favourite novel of our solipsistic times is easily The Nix by Nathan Hill. Laura Pottsdam is a student caught plagiarising by her literature professor, the protagonist of the novel Samuel Andresen-Anderson. Pottsdam is the crushing embodiment of our Trumpian age... If his debut is anything to go by, Hill may well one day be seen as the Charles Dickens of our self-obsessed age. -- Will Storr * Guardian *To make sense of what is going on Portland, USA today, refer back to Nathan Hill’s The Nix - published four years ago. Hill captures the soul of the US through a handful of characters. He unlocks the code to the current state of the country - the hubris of polarisation; a way of life played as a zero-sum game . . .The Great American Novel is a myth, much like the baseball World Series, and is the myth that undermines the nation. There can, of course, be a North American great novel. The Nix certainly is that, and even better: it is a great novel. * Daily Maverick *
£10.44
