Fiction Books

Book SynopsisWhat happens when two sets of parents meet up to deal with the unruly behaviour of their children? A calm and rational debate between grown-ups about the need to teach ids how to behave properly? Or a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums and tears before bedtime?Boys will be boys, but the adults are usually worse - much worse.Christopher Hampton''s translation of Yasmina Reza''s sharp-edged play God of Carnage premiered at the Gielgud Theatre, London, in March 2008. Christopher Hampton has translated five plays by Yasmina Reza: ''Art'', The Unexpected Man, Conversations after a Burial, Life x 3 and God of Carnage.Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Play.Winner of the 2009 Olivier Award for Best Comedy.Trade Review"Reza holds the mirror up to bourgeois hypocrisy withthe savage indignation of a born satirist", Guardian. "A triumph! Brilliantly translated by Christopher Hampton", Daily Express.

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Book Synopsis''Rosamunde Pilcher has the unique ability to transfer the reader into her lovely world. So vivid, simply mesmerising!!!!'' Reader review ?????An emotive and timeless collection of short stories by the much-loved Rosamunde PilcherThrough thick mist and a cold east wind, Lavinia returns to Scotland. Up at the big house Mrs Farquhar is dying. Seeing Lachlan again, Lavinia remembers her childhood holidays there: swimming in the loch, the picnics, bottle-feeding the lambs down at the farm and the evenings when they danced reels. Most of all, she remembers Mrs Farquhar''s grandson Rory.As the old lady lies serene and beautiful in the bed she has slept in since coming home to Lachlan as a bride, Lavinia meets Rory once again.Flowers in the Rain is one of sixteen stories, each giving another magical glimpse into Rosamunde Pilcher''s world.READERS LOVE FLOWERS IN THE RAIN:''I loved Trade ReviewHer genius is to create characters you really care for * Daily Express *Pilcher's storytelling skills are serene and beguiling * The Times *It is never too soon to discover Rosamunde Pilcher * Good Housekeeping *Whether she is being poignant, wry or perceptive, Rosamunde Pilcher is always gentle * Woman's Realm *

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Book SynopsisThe first tie-in novel from the sinister and mysterious realms of The Strange roleplaying gameTrade Review"I had a lot of fun reading this book. There were so many strange and interesting things going on that I kept turning the pages wanting to know more. And there were a couple of twists in the story line that had my toes bouncing because I was giddy with excitement. No surprises were completely out of left field and the story, world and characters are strong throughout the book." - Purple Owl Reviews; "An entertaining read." - Strange Alliances PRAISE FOR AUTHOR; "Highly engaging, thoroughly entertaining." - Grasping for the Wind on Key of Stars

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Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE AKUTAGAWA PRIZE, Japan''s most prestigious literary award, first published when the author was just 24**A Japanese contemporary classic, perfect for fans of Convenience Store Woman**A love letter to Tokyo as it can only be seen through the eyes of a young woman setting out in the world*It was raining when I arrived at the house. The walls of my room were lined with cat photos, set in fancy frames just below the ceiling.When her mother emigrates to China for work, 21-old Chizu moves in with 71-year-old Ginko, an eccentric distant relative, taking a room in her ramshackle Tokyo home, with its two resident cats and the persistent rattle of passing trains.Living their lives in imperfect symmetry, they establish an uneasy alliance, stress tested by Chizu''s flashes of youthful spite. As the four seasons pass, Chizu navigates a series of tedious part-time jobs and unsatisfying relationships, b

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Book Synopsis'Electrifying' - A.J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the WindowA Sunday Times Best Thriller Book of the Year. More than two million copies sold in Spain alone. Red Queen is the first in Juan Gómez-Jurado's internationally bestselling serial killer thriller series, translated by Nick Caistor.You've never met anyone like her . . .Antonia Scott is special. Very special. She is not a policewoman or a lawyer. She has never wielded a weapon or carried a badge, and yet, she has solved dozens of crimes.But it's been a while since Antonia left her attic in Madrid. The things she has lost are much more important to her than the things awaiting her outside.She also doesn't receive visitors. That's why she really, really doesn't like it when she hears unknown footsteps coming up the stairs.Whoever it is, Antonia is sure that they are coming to look for her.And she likes that even less . . .Praise for Red Queen:'A Spanish spin on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo . . . A female Sherlock Holmes' - The Times'Often compared with Lisbeth Salander . . . Antonia Scott looks destined to leave every bit as lasting an impression.' - Daily Mail'This fast-paced story crackles with energy as it roams between Madrid's most exclusive enclaves and seedy back streets' – Best Books of 2023, Financial TimesTrade ReviewBest thriller books of 2023 . . . What impresses is the brainy brio of Gómez-Jurado's storytelling, as well as his striking depiction of Madrid as two cities, an elegant baroque facade concealing a gothic underworld * Sunday Times *Fizzes with energy and lively scene-setting, switching . . . There are obvious echoes of Lisbeth Salander, but the crackling interplay between Scott and Inspector Gutiérrez, a gay Basque policeman, adds an extra layer of originality, as does Nick Caistor’s sparkling translation. * Financial Times *An electrifying serial-killer thriller, a fiendishly clever puzzle mystery . . . Red Queen tops even The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as a thinking reader’s thriller. -- A.J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the WindowA Spanish spin on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo . . . stylish and stylised . . . A female Sherlock Holmes * The Times *Often compared with Lisbeth Salander from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Antonia Scott looks destined to leave every bit as lasting an impression. * Daily Mail *What Gómez-Jurado excels at, as conveyed in Nick Caistor’s brisk translation, is pacing of the breakneck variety. Short chapters, funny asides, lethally potent descriptions: They all contribute to a frenetic page-turning momentum . .. you’ll have great fun reading it. * New York Times *Fast paced, memorable characters and a cinematic story that draws you in hook, line and sinker. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next in the series. -- John Marrs, author of The OneJuan Gomez-Jurado has written a fast, exciting page-turner and it’s the first in a trilogy featuring Antonia and Jon. You’ll be wanting more. * The Record *Fans of Scandinavian crime thrillers might want to broaden their horizons with the first book in a Spanish trilogy featuring a mismatched duo . . . Already an international hit, Gómez-Jurado’s smart page-turner has been made into an Prime Video series that will debut later in 2023 * Washington Post *A fast-paced thriller . . . giving us a mash-up of Nordic noir and an old-school detective with a neurodivergent mind . . . Red Queen works because along with a genius-protagonist, Gomez-Jurado has successfully wo­ven in the other ingredients that thrill a mystery reader: a diabolical antago­nist, a twisty game and a ticking clock. * Open The Magazine *A labyrinth of mystery, crisply plotted and paced, way ahead of the pack. -- Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Kaiser’s Web Suspenseful and terrifying . . . A bit of Clarice Starling and a lot of Lisbeth Salander make Antonia a thoroughly compelling character, who will return in two more translations to complete Gómez-Jurado’s trilogy, -- Jane Murphy * Booklist starred review *Exciting . . . a nice balance among character, action, and setting . . . The next two, Loba Negra (Black Wolf) and Rey Blanco (White King), must be translated into English, because thriller fans will be waiting. Fast-moving and quirky fiction from Madrid. * Kirkus Reviews *Nail-biting . . . tantalizing . . . Lizbeth Salander fans will find much to like. * Publishers Weekly *This has all the velocity and thrills of Stieg Larson’s Millennium series but none of the eyeroll-inducing misogyny . . . it's all-engrossing. * First Clue (starred review) *Fresh and appealing to those that enjoy interesting characters and stories that constantly move forward and tales that end in unexpected ways. * Mystery and Suspense *Red Queen is a smart, addictive thriller, beautiful in both its complexity and devotion to characterization. Between the stunning plot twists, bold structural choices and surprising moments of wry humour, you won’t be able to put this one down -- Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of Find MeThis terrific novel has all the page-turning elements of the very best thrillers, but what makes it truly remarkable is the writing itself. Engaging and heartbreaking, witty and wry and immersive . . . Juan Gómez-Jurado has written an instant classic -- Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect LifeReaders are going to fall for Antonia Scott. This character is, without a doubt, the best thing that has happened to the international thriller in the last ten years * ABC *Red Queen is terrific – a complex story that unfolds at breakneck speed, a compelling plot filled with twist after twist, a story told with rich, fluid language, and a fascinating, well-realized unlikely pair of characters, especially the brilliant Antonia Scott. -- David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author of Murder as a Fine ArtThe most compelling and original detective since Lisbeth Salander * The Times South Africa *

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Book SynopsisIsmail Kadare, born in 1936 in the mountain town of Gjirokaster, near the Greek border, is Albania's best-known poet and novelist. Since the appearance of The General of the Dead Army in 1965, Kadare has published scores of stories and novels that make up a panorama of Albanian history linked by a constant meditation on the nature and human consequences of dictatorship. His works brought him into frequent conflict with the authorities from 1945 to 1985. In 1990 he sought political asylum in France, and now divides his time between Paris and Tirana. He is the winner of the first ever Man Booker International Prize.Trade ReviewKadare's most daring novel, one of the most complete visions of totalitarianism ever committed to paper * Vanity Fair *If there is a book worth banning in a dictatorship, this is it * Guardian *Kadare's delicately misted view of another world (as much internal as totalitarian) lives up to the splendour of his title * Independent on Sunday *Inexorably takes your breath away * Herald *

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Book SynopsisThese are beguiling, provocative stories about manipulative men and the women who outwit them.Brimming with intensely believable characters and rich social detail' Sunday TimesA wife and mother whose spirit has been crushed finds release from her extraordinary pain in the most unlikely of places. The young victim of a humiliating seduction finds an unusual way to get her own back and move on. An older woman, dying of cancer, weaves a poisonous story to save her life. Alice Munro takes on complex, even harrowing emotions and events and renders them into stories that surprise, amaze, and shed light on the unpredictable ways we accommodate to what happens in our lives.Winner of the Nobel Prize in LiteratureWinner of the Man Booker International Prize 2009Trade ReviewShe writes with a beautiful clarity, an elemental humanity and a marvellous, limpid, funny, apprehension of what goes on -- Jane Shilling * Sunday Telegraph *Some of the most honest, intuitive and exacting fiction, long or short, of our time -- Tom Gatti * The Times *Munro's bold, unflinching narratives have taken the short story places many a novelist has feared to tread... That she does this in a style both calm and deliberate, fluid yet tightly controlled, stark yet compassionate, is what makes her insights into the human condition so profound -- Mary Crockett * Scotsman *Written with veteran assurance, brimming with intensely believable characters and rich social detail, these dispatches from the most unsparing reaches of Munro's imagination confirm her acclaimed place on the highest ground of contemporary fiction -- Peter Kemp * Sunday Times *Alice Munro commands enormous respect and almost uncritical adoration from her readers -- Elaine Showalter * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisDuring the 1790s, with Ireland in political crisis, Maria Edgeworth made a surprisingly rebellious choice: in Castle Rackrent, her first novel, she adopted an Irish Catholic voice to narrate the decline of a family from her own Anglo-Irish class. Castle Rackrent''s narrator, Thady Quirk, gives us four generations of Rackrent heirs - Sir Patrick, the dissipated spendthrift; Sir Murtagh, the litigating fiend; Sir Kit, the brutal husband and gambling absentee; and Sir Condy, the lovable and improvident dupe of Thady''s own son, Jason.With this satire on Anglo-Irish landlords Edgeworth pioneered the regional novel and inspired Sir Walter Scott''s Waverly (1814). She also changed the focus of conflict in Ireland from religion to class and boldly predicted the rise of the Irish Catholic Bourgeoisie. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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Book Synopsis''Cracking entertainment... Dangerously, deliciously addictive'' Daily Telegraph''[Raven is] a freak writer, he defies classification. In wilder moments he suggests a loose, lunatic collaboration of Trollope, Ouida and Waugh'' ObserverEnter Alms for Oblivion, Simon Raven''s dazzling cycle of ten novels, all telling separate stories but at the same time linked together by the characters they have in common: schoolboys and businessmen, writers and soldiers, prostitutes and patient wives, actresses and models. In the first four novels Raven''s wayward band of upper-class anti-heroes lurch from debauched parties to rehearsals for nuclear war; from blackmail to murder; from marriage to adultery and back again.Volume 1: The Rich Pay Late, Friends in Low Places, The Sabre Squadron and Fielding Gray''There are some people who consider the greatest cycle of twentieth-century novels to be Anthony Powell''s Trade ReviewCracking entertainment... Dangerously, deliciously addictive * Daily Telegraph *Sparkling and fizzing... Raven has the mind of a cad and the pen of an angel * Guardian *There are some people who consider the greatest cycle of twentieth-century novels to be Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time. These people are wrong. Widmerpool and his joyless accomplices are as nothing compared to the characters in Simon Raven's majestic, scurrilous and scabrous Alms for Oblivion cycle * Guardian *A ready made cult waiting to be discovered * Spectator *Raven's gusto, the robustness of his style and his powerful, if quirky, intelligence all held me rapt * Sunday Telegraph *Raven's unique vision of our times - classes battling, corruption raging, ideas flashing - is not only valid but valuable. He spins webs of chance, intrigue and wit to ensnare civilised values and trap the truth. It's high time we gave this very curious genius a loud, warm welcome. -- David Hughes * Mail on Sunday *Brisk, bawdy and reckless * Evening Standard *Each of the novels in Alms for Oblivion is an elegant morality tale, beautifully composed, sparkling with appreciation of the sheer limitless variety of human wickedness * TLS *[Raven is] a freak writer, he defies classification. In wilder moments he suggests a loose, lunatic collaboration of Trollope, Ouida and Waugh * Observer *Crammed with comedy, suspense and action * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisRob Grant and Doug Naylor were part of the gestalt entity known as Grant Naylor, which created and wrote the Emmy award-winning series Red Dwarf for BBC television. Together they were head writers for Spitting Image in the mid-eighties, and together they wrote two novels, Red Dwarf (1989) and Better Than Life (1991). Since 1994 they have been pursuing separate careers, and each has written a bestselling Red Dwarf novel; Doug's Last Human was published in 1995, Rob's Backwards was published in 1996. All these books are available in Penguin and have sold over 1.7 million copies.

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Book SynopsisIn this post-apocalyptic sci-fi story, humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming mankind. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world for years, killing everyone they see. For the past century, what's left of the human race has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 100-metre-high walls will protect them from the Titans, but the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about to change everything.

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Book SynopsisWilliam Shakespeare was born in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died in 1616. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. Stanley Wells is Emeritus Professor of the University of Birmingham and Honorary President of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.Margaret Jane Kidnie is Professor of English at the University of Western Ontario.

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Book SynopsisA story told by a condemned man leads Maigret to a bar by the Seine and into the sleazy underside of respectable Parisian life. In the oppressive heat of summer, a forgotten crime comes to light.Trade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book SynopsisThe International Bestseller from the Man Booker Prize shortlisted authorAn absorbing story of a world in transition' J. M. Coetzee''A Doctor Zhivago for the Far East'' The IndependentRajkumar is only another boy, helping on a market stall in the dusty square outside the royal palace, when the British force the Burmese King, Queen and all the Court into exile. He is rescued by the far-seeing Chinese merchant, and with him builds up a logging business in upper Burma. But haunted by his vision of the Royal Family, he journeys to the obscure town in India where they have been exiled.The story follows the fortunes rubber estates in Malaya, businesses in Singapore, estates in Burma which Rajkumar, with his Chinese, British and Burmese relations, friends and associates, builds up from 1870 through the Second World War to the scattering of the extended family to New York and Thailand, London and Hong Kong in the post-war years.Trade Review‘A distinctive voice, polished and profound.’ TLS ‘Ambitious, multigenerational, “The Glass Palace” is akin to a 19th-century Russian novel…a rich, layered epic that probes the meaning of identity and homeland.’ LA Times ‘An absorbing story of a world in transition, brought to life through characters who love and suffer with equal intensity.’ J.M. Coetzee ‘A “Doctor Zhivago” for the Far East.’ Independent

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Book SynopsisThe last novel from the unsurpassed master of American detective fiction, Dashiell Hammett''s The Thin Man is a genre-defining mystery novel, published in Penguin Modern Classics.Ex-detective Nick Charles plans to spend a quiet Christmas holed up in a hotel suite with his glamorous wife Nora, their pet Schnauzer and a case of good Scotch. But then a bullet-riddled corpse and a missing inventor (not to mention the attentions of a beautiful young woman) force him out of retirement and back into business. Trying to make sense of false leads, suspicious alibis and mistaken identities, Nick and Nora are thrown into a world of gangsters, hoodlums and speakeasies, where no-one can be trusted. Dashiell Hammett was credited with inventing the hardboiled crime novel, and this story of murder and mayhem in Manhattan, with its breakneck plot, snappy dialogue - and the hard-drinking, wisecracking couple Nick and Nora - is one of his most thrillingly enjoyable mysteries. DaTrade Review'The exuberance of language, the relish with which seediness is described .. it's a pleasure to imagine Hammett cutting loose with whatever rascally high jinks he could cook up' * Margaret Atwood *'The ace performer' * Raymond Chandler *

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Book Synopsis'BEGUILING, EVOCATIVE, WONDERFUL ... THE ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH OF FRANCE' Francis WheenIn the second mystery of this mouthwatering and bestselling series, Bruno, Chief of Police of a small rural French town, must balance local tradition and modern progress while bringing a killer to justice.Just before dawn one summer morning Bruno is summoned by the wail of the siren in the little town of St Denis in the Périgord. A fire is raging in a local barn and spreading to the surrounding fields. When Bruno arrives at the scene, the smell of petrol leaves no doubt: it was arson. The barn belongs to an agricultural research company experimenting with genetically modified crops - an unpopular move in deeply traditional St Denis.Meanwhile, a Californian producer wants to set up a wine-making business in the valley. Despite the money and jobs this would bring, many fear it would destroy their town. When a violent death follows the crop burning, it looks as though someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme. Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to reach the truth.Trade ReviewSure to appeal to readers with a palate for mysteries with social nuance and understated charm * Wall Street Journal *The delights of [Walker's Dordogne] - from the chateaux along the rivers to the prehistoric cave paintings to the food on the tables - are very real.... Absorbing * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisIf you love Bridgerton, you''ll love Georgette Heyer!''The greatest writer who ever lived'' ANTONIA FRASER ''A rollicking good read that will be of particular joy to Bridgerton viewers ... the permanent glister of scandal [...] ties the whole thing together'' INDEPENDENT ''My generation''s Julia Quinn'' ADJOA ANDOH, star of Bridgerton _______________Endowed with rank, wealth and elegance, Sylvester, Duke of Salford, is ready to find a bride. His pursuit of a partner sets him on course to Phoebe Marlow, a young lady who is far more concerned with riding than sewing or beautiful clothes. With Phoebe struggling to meet her family''s demands of gentility and poise, a potential match with Sylvester is exceedingly advantageous. So, it is very intriguing indeed when a visit from her potential suitor causes Phoebe to flee her home. When the pair meetTrade Review"My favourite historical novelist -- stylish, romantic, sharp, and witty. Her sense of period is superb, her heroines are enterprising, and her heroes dashing. I owe her many happy hours." Margaret Drabble "Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail, and rapturously romantic. Georgette Heyer achieves what the rest of us only aspire to." Katie Fforde "A writer of great wit and style ... I've read her books to ragged shreds." Kate Fenton, Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisIf you love Bridgerton, you''ll love Georgette Heyer!''The greatest writer who ever lived'' ANTONIA FRASER''A rollicking good read that will be of particular joy to Bridgerton viewers ... the permanent glister of scandal [...] ties the whole thing together'' INDEPENDENT''[My] generation''s Julia Quinn'' ADJOA ANDOH, star of Bridgerton__________________Leonie Bonnard is being drawn into a twenty-year-old feud.Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, is a reprehensible rake with an axe to grind. Decades ago the Comte de Saint-Vire did something unforgivable and ever since Justin has been lying in wait to settle the score.When Justin meets Leon, a street urchin with a striking resemblance to his nemesis, he aims to use him as a pawn in his plans for revenge on the Comte. Except Leon is in fact Leonie, a beautiful young ingénue who may just steal Justin''s heaTrade Review"My favourite historical novelist, stylish, romantic, sharp, and witty. Her sense of period is superb, her heroines are enterprising, and her heroes dashing. I owe her many happy hours" -- Margaret Drabble "Sparkling" The Independent

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Book SynopsisAuthor of over fifty books, Georgette Heyer is the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists, who made the Regency period her own. Her first novel, The Black Moth, published in 1921, was written at the age of fifteen to amuse her convalescent brother; her last was My Lord John. Although most famous for her historical novels, she also wrote eleven detective stories. Georgette Heyer died in 1974 at the age of seventy-one.Trade Review"Georgette Heyer is unbeatable" -- India Knight "Sparkling" Independent "My favourite historical novelist - stylish, romantic, sharp, and witty. Her sense of period is superb, her heroines are enterprising, and her heroes dashing. I owe her many happy hours" -- Margaret Drabble

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Book SynopsisFollowing the incredible success of his first book, In His Own Write, John Lennon's second collection of stories, drawings and poems is just as witty, whimsical and wonderful as his debut. First published in 1965 it is now back in print, looking just as it did when it first appeared half a century ago.CONTENTSA Spaniard in the WorksThe Fat BudgieSnore Wife and some Several DwartsThe Singularge Experience of Miss Anne DuffieldThe Faulty BagnoseWe must not forget the General ErectionBenjaman DistastefulThe Wumberlog (or The Magic Dog)Araminta DitchCassandleThe National Health CowReaders LettuceSilly NormanMr. Boris MorrisBernice's SheepLast Will and TesticleOur DadI Believe, Boot . . .Trade ReviewIt owes something to Edward Lear's nonsense books, but from there on in Lennon is on his own . . . Zany, offbeat, and illustrated by his grotesque spidery pen. It jolts the reader into gusts of laughter * * GUARDIAN * *Irresistible . . . the drawings are marvellous * * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * *

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Book SynopsisIt is the autumn of 1880, and Dr John Watson has just returned from Afghanistan. Badly injured and desperate to forget a nightmarish expedition that left him doubting his sanity, Watson is close to destitution when he meets the extraordinary Sherlock Holmes, who is investigating a series of deaths in the Shadwell district of London. Several bodies have been found, the victims appearing to have starved to death over the course of several weeks, and yet they were reported alive and well mere days before. Moreover, there are disturbing reports of creeping shadows that inspire dread in any who stray too close.Holmes deduces a connection between the deaths and a sinister drug lord who is seeking to expand his criminal empire. Yet both he and Watson are soon forced to accept that there are forces at work far more powerful than they could ever have imagined. Forces that can be summoned, if one is brave - or mad - enough to dare...Trade ReviewA must-read -Bio Gamer Girl"

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Book SynopsisThree bears. The first, a diligent memoirist whose unlikely success forces her to flee Soviet Russia. The second, her daughter, a skilled dancer in an East Berlin circus. The third, Knut, a baby bear born and raised in Berlin Zoo at the beginning of the 21st century. Here, then, is the enchanting story of three extraordinary bears, brought to life by one of Japan's most inventive and dazzling novelists.

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Book SynopsisIn her first collection of new poetry since 2011's acclaimed Family Values, Wendy Cope celebrates the half-forgotten stories of our lives' with compassion, wisdom and wit. Cope continues to be the most generous of authors, sharing her experience of childhood and marriage and writing poignantly about the passing of time. In several of the poems she reimagines Shakespeare in unorthodox fashion; in others she offers heartfelt tributes to friends and to public figures including Eric Morecambe and John Cage. Anecdotal Evidence demonstrates the formal brilliance and empathetic insight which have delighted readers for years, and shows why Wendy Cope is one of our best-loved poets.

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Book Synopsis*Dawn O'Porter's brand new novel, HONEYBEE, is available to pre-order now!*______________________________________________THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, shortlisted for best audiobook in the Specsavers National Book Awards 2018Fearlessly frank and funny, the debut adult novel from Dawn O'Porter is the book that everybody needs to read right now.COW [n.]/ka?/A piece of meat; born to breed; past its sell-by-date; one of the herd.Three women. A whole world of judgement.Tara, Cam and Stella are very different women. Yet in a society that sets the agenda, there's something about being a woman that ties invisible bonds between us.When one extraordinary event rockets Tara to online infamy, their three worlds collide in ways they could never imagine and they discover that one woman's catastrophe might just be another's inspiration.Through friendship and conflict, difference and likeness, they'll learn to find their own voices.Because sometimes it's OK not to follow the herd.Trade Review‘A funny, smart, kind, incredibly truthful book about women . . . all the shame, judgement, envy and love that being alive and female entails’ Polly Vernon ‘Fierce and funny’ Bryony Gordon, DAILY TELEGRAPH ‘Smart and insightful’ RED ‘Dawn's writing is addictive – fearless, beyond feisty and seriously funny’ Mel Giedroyc ‘O’Porter’s wise and witty narrative has many thought-provoking situations and concepts. Different, poignant and smart – I loved it’ Sara Lawrence, DAILY MAIL ‘Compulsive… I can't wait for the next one’ Shappi Khorsandi ‘Feisty characters and fearless prose, THE COWS is totally addictive’ HEAT ‘Sometimes hilarious and sometimes poignant, but always rollicking and fast-paced . . . A feel-good read which will resonate with any woman’ DAILY EXPRESS ‘Entertaining and thought-provoking’ IRISH TIMES ‘A zippy and hilarious book… tackles some of the most serious issues that affect modern women today’ THE POOL ‘Fearless, frank and excruciatingly funny’ OK ‘A whirlwind of a story about three women finding their voice amid societal pressures . . . Excellent, funny, and decidedly unpatronising – as candid as Dawn’ METRO ‘An amazing book about choices and being yourself’ PRIMA ‘Funny and excruciating. You'll think about it for weeks!’ Kristen Wiig ‘I loved it. Funny, moving, twisty . . . Wow! I couldn’t stop reading it’ Jill Mansell ‘A terrifically fun read’ YOU magazine ‘Fast, fun and fearless… a warning bell about social media and the damage it can cause’ S Magazine ‘The Cows looks at motherhood and female friendship through a frank and funny prism that reminds me of the TV show Catastrophe. Smart, fresh and really readable – I loved it’ Tasmina Perry ‘Fast and funny’ WOMAN & HOME ‘We’ve had Bridget Jones now THE COWS is setting the agenda for a new generation of readers’ No 1 Magazine

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Book SynopsisThe controversial, gripping novel from the bestselling, highly acclaimed author of ATOMISED and SEROTONIN.''Essential reading for anyone concerned with the state of the contemporary world'' DAILY MAILWho, among you, deserves eternal life?Daniel is a highly successful stand-up comedian who has made a career out of playing outrageously on the prejudices of his public. But at the beginning of the twenty-first century, he has begun to detest laughter in particular and mankind in general. Despite this, Daniel is unable to stop himself believing in the possibility of love.A thousand years on, war, drought and earthquakes have decimated the earth and Daniel24 lives alone in a secure compound - his only companion, a cloned dog named Fox. Outside, the remnants of the human race roam in packs, while Daniel24 attempts to decipher his predecessor''s history. In a nightmarish vision of the implosion of the modern world, he, like his predecessor attempts to fathTrade ReviewTakes you by the throat and shakes you. A bracing mix of visionary Aldous Huxley, Evelyn Waugh at his cruellest, and ranting John Osborne, THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ISLAND is a charging bull in the china shop of modern fiction * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ISLAND is above all an aesthetic achievement. For this, Houellebecq should win the Prix Goncourt that polemics and personalities have made so elusive * SCOTSMAN *His deftly constructed novel is a bleak comment on contemporary society, at times funny, brutal and revolting * THE ECONOMIST *An exhilarating writer....in a class of his own * LITERARY REVIEW *There is no doubt that he is a writer who deserves the serious attention that he is now receiving * THE TIMES *Provocative and satisfying fiction * HERALD *The novel is essential reading for anyone concerned with the state of either contemporary fiction or the contemporary world * DAILY MAIL *There are passages of irresistible black humour, savage condemnation and genuine (and surprising) sentiment * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *If you liked ATOMISED and PLATFORM, you'll love THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ISLAND ... the most talented of current French writers * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *It will sicken you, reduce you to laughter and stun you with its savage directness, but it will always leave you thinking * SPAIN MAGAZINE *The first 300 pages of this novel prove that Houellebecq is one of the best novelists writing today * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *The book shows his main strength: caustic wit with a moral force that cuts through complacent assumptions * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Houellebecq keeps us listening, even when we know we should leave * INDEPENDENT *Reading Houellebecq is like being caught up in a tropical storm: you are blown away by the ferocity of his imagination * OBSERVER *Europe's most inflammatory writer * INDEPENDENT *Houellebecq keeps us listening, even when we know we should leave. * THE INDEPENDENT *the book shows his main strength: caustic with with a moral force that cuts throug complacent assumptions. -- Katie Owen * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisMurder was work. Some went about the job devotedly, others carelessly. And for some, murder was a labour of love.On the day of his sixtieth birthday, Walter C. Pettibone is blissfully unaware of his impending death. His final act in life is to accept a glass of champagne by a woman with startling green eyes. A big mistake.Homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas knows she faces a deadly foe - one with a frightening vendetta. And as the chase draws Eve dangerously close to her own dark past, her focus slips.But then Eve''s billionaire husband''s name is put on Julianna''s fatal list - and Eve ups her game. Luring Julianna into a dangerous trap which puts everyone at risk, Eve finds herself fighting for more than justice.Trade ReviewGut-searing emotional drama David Baldacci Anchored by terrific characters, sudden twists that spin the whole narrative on a dime, and a thrills-to-chills ratio that will raise hairs of even the most jaded reader, the J.D. Robb books are the epitome of great popular fiction Dennis Lehane J.D. Robb's novels are can't miss pleasures Harlan Coben Whether she writes as J.D. Robb or under her own name, I love Nora Roberts. She is a woman who just doesn't know how to tell a bad story Stephen King This series gets better with every book Publishers Weekly The most popular novelist on planet earth Washington Post A perfect balance of suspense, futuristic police procedural and steamy romance...truly fine entertainment... sure to leave you hungering for more Publishers Weekly Great fun Cosmopolitan

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Book SynopsisIn the year of our Lord 1141, August comes in golden as a lion, and two monks ride into the Benedictine abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul bringing with them disturbing news of war- and a mystery. The strangers tell how the strife between the Empress Maud and King Stephen has destroyed the town of Winchester and their priory. Now Brother Humilis, who is handsome, gaunt and very ill, and Brother Fidelis, youthful, comely- and mute- must seek refuge at Shrewsbury.From the moment he meets them, Brother Cadfael senses that they are bound by something deeper than their common vows. What the link is he can only guess; what it will lead to is beyond imagining. But as Brother Humilis''s health fails, Brother Cadfael faces a poignant test of his discretion and his beliefs as he unravels a secret so great it can destroy a life, a future, and a holy order.

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Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas comes the next stunning novel in the Hathaways series - perfect for fans of Sarah MacLean, Julia Quinn and Eloisa James. ''Lisa Kleypas is the best'' Sarah MacLean He is everything she wants to avoid . . . For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters - a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges'' older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response - and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison. She is not at all what she seems . . . Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine''s respectable demeanour hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intrigui

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Book SynopsisUmberto Eco (19322016) wrote fiction, literary criticism and philosophy. His first novel, The Name of the Rose, was a major international bestseller. His other works include Foucault's Pendulum, The Island of the Day Before, Baudolino, The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, The Prague Cemetery and Numero Zero along with many brilliant collections of essays.Trade ReviewThe late medieval world, teetering on the edge of discoveries and ideas that will hurl it into one more recognisably like ours...evoked with a force and wit that are breathtaking * Financial Times *A novel of sunning intelligence, linguistic richness, thematic complexity * Il Giorno *This novel belongs with Voltaire' philosophical tales-in the entertaining guise of an erudite fiction story, it is also a vibrant plea for freedom, moderation and wisdom * L'Express *A brilliant deconstruction of the traditional crime novel -- Iain Rankin * Mail on Sunday *Whether you’re into Sherlock Holmes, Montaillou, Borges, the nouvelle critique, the Rule of St. Benedict, metaphysics, library design, or The Thing from the Crypt, you’ll love it. Who can that miss out? * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisWhen Jinwoo gets his rank reevaluated, the results are even better than he could havedreamed of...but more importantly, a chance to heal his mother from her strangeillness falls into his lap. In order to find the cure, he must make his way further intothe Demon’s Castle—and now that there’s finally hope at the end of the tunnel, nothingcan get in his way.

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Book SynopsisI hear someone coming. It has happened before . . . Rooted in the elemental landscapes of Sussex, Brittany and the Languedoc, here are tales of ghosts and spirits seeking revenge, of grief-stricken women and haunted men coming to terms with their destiny. Atmospheric and unforgettable, The Mistletoe Bride is a collection of stories inspired by ghost stories, folk tales and legends, from one of our most captivating writers.''These eerie tales are perfect for stormy winter darkness'' Daily Mail''A master of the short form'' Stylist''A powerful storyteller with an abundant imagination'' Daily TelegraphTrade ReviewThese eerie tales are perfect for stormy winter darkness * DAILY MAIL *Mosse's love of history and of ghosts and legends mix in her new collection of short stories ... Mosse creates beautiful scenarios * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Kate Mosse is also a master of the short form ... Her ability to blur the lines between eras is so fluid its testament to her writing ... the ancient and modern ghostly tales of Mosse's anthology left us fearful, but fulfilled * STYLIST *Perfect for reading while snuggled up against the winter weather * CANDIS *This collection is captivating ... once again fans of Mosse are in for a treat * IRISH EXAMINER *With Halloween and ghostly stuff creeping up on us once more, it's the perfect time to dip into this captivating collection of short stories and illustrations, inspired by classic British and French folk tales. Lovely stuff. * STAR MAGAZINE *An atmospheric collection of short stories from one of Britain's most captivating writers * ABSOLUTELY (LONDON) MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Fingerprint Award for Thriller of the Year THE NEW CAUTIONARY TALE OF OBSESSION, LOVE, JEALOUSY AND DECEPTION FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OUR HOUSE AND THE OTHER PASSENGER Wrong time. Wrong place. Wrong man.   Alex lives a comfortable life with his wife Beth in the leafy suburb of Silver Vale. Fine, so he’s not the most sociable guy on the street, he prefers to keep himself to himself, but he’s a good husband and an easy-going neighbour.   That’s until Beth announces the creation of a nature trail on a local site that’s been disused for decades and suddenly Alex is a changed man. Now he’s always watching. Questioning. Struggling to hide his dread . . .   As the landscapers get to work, a secret threatens to surface from years ago, back in Alex’s twenties when he got entangled with a seductive yoTrade ReviewLouise Candlish has done it again! The writing is exquisite and I devoured every succulent twist and turn on my way to the wholly satisfying conclusion -- Russ Thomas A superstar of psychological thrillers -- Daily Mail Candlish controls the drip feed of information and ramps up the tension to great effect -- The Guardian [Candlish] confirms her reputation for unsettling, well-carpentered plots -- Sunday Times You’ll have a delightful sense of disorientation on the long road to discovering how the two storylines are connected, before arriving at the immensely satisfying conclusion -- Daily Express/Daily Mirror Candlish has a distinctive take on the contemporary psychological thriller. She skilfully mixes a droll portrayal of middle-class London suburban life with some extremely cunning plots -- Mail on Sunday This dual-timeline, domestic-noir tale is a tense, read-in-one-sitting thriller -- The Sun on Sunday Fabulous Magazine The plot is clever, the characters are unpleasantly credible and the revelations give the tiniest sense of reassurance -- Literary Review When it comes to mind-blowing twists, award-winning author Louise Candlish knows her stuff -- Woman & Home I’m a huge fan of this thriller writer’s clever, serpentine stories. When the waste ground behind his house is approved for development, it spells trouble for Alex, who is hiding a big secret – but what? Just when I thought I’d figured it out, along came another twist! -- Good Housekeeping From an author who really does know how to knock it out of the park with her gripping plots… taut and tense, this is fabulous -- Prima Tense, taut and twisty. Candlish is a master of her craft -- Plantinum Just when you think you’ve got this twisty thriller sussed, the rug gets pulled yet again -- Crime Monthly Expect twists and double twists from the queen of the domestic noir thriller -- Red The queen of mind-blowing twists, Louise Candlish has done it again with her latest can’t-put-it-down thriller -- Woman’s WeeklyA compelling, nerve-tingling treat -- Nicci FrenchA twisting, seductive, ingenious thriller from the consistently brilliant Louise Candlish. I'm a huge fan -- Chris WhitakerIncredibly tense. Louise Candlish is one of my favourite writers and this is her best book yet -- Clare MackintoshCompletely addictive and devilishly clever - the queen of the killer twist strikes again! -- T. M. LoganSuch a vivid sense of place, a gripping plot, elegantly told, and a twist that left me reeling - brilliant! -- Sarah PearsePsychological suspense has a new adjective - pure Candlish -- Cara HunterI'm blown away by how good it is. A gripping tale of love, secrets and deception - it's the best psychological thriller I've read in a long time -- Mark EdwardsI loved The Only Suspect: a heady dose of mid Nineties nostalgia, with trademark whiplash twists and satire. Louise Candlish has surpassed her own, always high standards. Quite possibly her best yet -- Sarah VaughanThe Only Suspect is a suspenseful, thrilling and breath-taking mystery about the dark secrets that live in the past, and the paralysing fear that they'll be uncovered. If you thought you misbehaved in the nineties you've got nothing on the devious, duplicitous cast of this book. Gripping, unpredictable and tense, it'll keep you guessing all the way through -- C. L. TaylorI was completely pulled in by the story and the layers of clever plotting; the twists and turns - though well set up, took me completely by surprise and I found myself staying up late to finish it, utterly absorbed by the excellent story telling -- Jane ShemiltThe Only Suspect kept me guessing all the way through. It’s the book version of a Rubik's Cube with so many unexpected twists and turns. An adrenaline burner for sure! -- Liz NugentAs good as I hoped it would be. Messy relationships, deception and some big surprises. Loved it! -- Jane FallonWOW. As always Louise Candlish has written a taut, unsettling, compulsive and ingenious novel with gasp-out-loud twists and fatally flawed characters forced into tragedy by circumstances. I LOVED it! -- Isabelle BroomI was sucked in from the beginning, hooked and hoodwinked. A masterclass in psychological thriller writing -- Diane JeffreyI couldn't put it down -- Shari LapenaI couldn't put it down! Fantastic characters, a trip down memory lane into '90s London and I honestly didn't see that ending coming AT ALL. Deliciously dark and devastating -- Nikki SmithTense, taut and twisty. Candlish is a master of her craft -- Adele ParksA nerve-shredding plot that kept me guessing to the finish. Another triumph! -- Fiona BartonI absolutely adored The Only Suspect. Tightly plotted and brilliantly written with twists so perfect they made me gasp out loud on more than one occasion. The story was so tense I couldn’t stop turning the pages, desperate to know the outcome. My favourite Louise Candlish book so far. Highly recommended -- Claire DouglasAn incredible page-turner…An absolute must-read. Get this on your 2023 wish list -- BA ParisThe Only Suspect is a heady pleasure from the very first page. It's both a page-tearing mystery and a pitch-perfect 90s period piece. Shimmers with mystery, tension, and dirty glamour -- Abigail DeanThis book should come with a warning: you won't speak to anyone until the last page -- Celia Walden

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Book SynopsisThe seventh novel in Zola's Rougon-Macquart cycle, The Assommoir is the story of a woman's struggle for happiness in working-class Paris.Table of ContentsIntroduction Translator's Note Select Bibliography A Chronology of Émile Zola Maps THE ASSOMMOIR Explanatory Notes

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Book SynopsisFor the first time ever, the entire Justice League International saga, presented by master storytellers Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire, is collected in chronological order.   In the wake of a world crisis, a new generation of the World’s Greatest Superheroes takes center stage. But it’s the most unlikely grouping of heroes you’ll ever see! Batman, Blue Beetle, Martian Manhunter, Guy Gardner, Black Canary, Mister Miracle, Doctor Fate, Booster Gold, Dr. Light, Shazam and more unite to form an all-new Justice League!   JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL OMNIBUS VOLUME ONE collects JUSTICE LEAGUE #1-6, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #7-25, JUSTIC LEAGUE AMERICA #26-30, JUSTICE LEAGUE ANNUAL #1, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL #2-3, JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE #1-6 and SUICIDE SQUAD #13.

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Book SynopsisTHE ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES # 2 ‘Gripping, clever and impossible to put down' ERIN KELLYTHE ISLAND OF TRESCO HOLDS A DARK SECRET SOMEONE WILL KILL TO PROTECT.Ben Kitto has become the Scilly Isles’ Deputy Chief of Police. As the island’s lazy summer takes hold, he finds himself missing the excitement of the murder squad in London. But when the body of professional diver Jude Trellon is discovered, anchored to the rocks of a nearby cave, his investigative skills are once again needed. At first it appears that the young woman’s death was a tragic accident, but when evidence is found that suggests otherwise, the islanders close ranks. With even those closest to the victim refusing to talk, it seems that plenty of people might have had reason to harm her. As the islanders remain guarded, Ben Kitto suspects a killer is on the loose in Tresco.Everyon

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Book SynopsisBored with the distractions of London, Judy Cameron insists on taking herself, her parents and her fiance to remote Glen Suilag in the Scottish Highlands. Leaving behind the busy whirl of the capital, she becomes absorbed in an unknown and yet strangely familiar world. As Judy explores the house and glen, secrets begin to unravel and questions arise that she must find the answers to. Why does the strange house feel so familiar? How does she know the laird, Ian Macdonald? Why does she feel so terrified of the middle window in the parlour? And who is the mysterious Judith who haunts her dreams?Trade ReviewMiss Goudge is an artist of very considerable ability - Oxford MailAbout the novels of Elizabeth Goudge there is always something of the fairy-tale - The ScotsmanElizabeth Goudge's novels, long or short, have always been distinguished by a quality of lyrical joyousness more usually associated with poetry than with prose and, perhaps, with music than with writing. - New York TimesMiss Goudge has the art of presenting men and women, to say nothing of children, as genuinely convincing persons, too human to be either wholly good or wholly bad - The ScotsmanGenuine discernment and poignancy - The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisFaber Stories, a landmark series of individual volumes, presents masters of the short story form at work in a range of genres and styles.

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Book SynopsisA riveting novel of suspense and terror from the Bram Stoker award-winning author of The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts. When it happens, it happens quickly. New England is locked down, a strict curfew the only way to stem the wildfire spread of a rabies-like virus. The hospitals cannot cope with the infected, as the pathogen’s ferociously quick incubation period overwhelms the state. The veneer of civilisation is breaking down as people live in fear of everyone around them. Staying inside is the only way to keep safe. But paediatrician Ramola Sherman can’t stay safe, when her friend Natalie calls – her husband is dead, she’s eight months pregnant, and she’s been bitten. She is thrust into a desperate race to bring Natalie and her unborn child to a hospital, to try and save both their lives. Their once familiar home has becoming a violent and strange place, twisted in to a barely recognisable landscape. What should have been a simple, joyous journey becomes a brutal trial.

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Book SynopsisAs night falls over Vienna, Franz Ritter, an insomniac musicologist, takes to his sickbed with an unspecified illness and spends a restless night drifting between dreams and memories, revisiting the important chapters of his life: his ongoing fascination with the Middle East and his numerous travels to Istanbul, Aleppo, Damascus, and Tehran, as well as the various writers, artists, musicians, academics, orientalists, and explorers who populate this vast dreamscape. At the centre of these memories is his elusive, unrequited love, Sarah, a fiercely intelligent French scholar caught in the intricate tension between Europe and the Middle East. An immersive, nocturnal, musical novel, full of generous erudition and bittersweet humour, Compass is a journey and a declaration of admiration, a quest for the otherness inside us all and a hand reaching out – like a bridge between West and East, yesterday and tomorrow. Winner of the 2015 Prix Goncourt, this is Mathias Enard’s most ambitious novel since Zone.Trade Review‘One of the finest European novels in recent memory.’ — Adrian Nathan West, Literary Review‘Few works of contemporary fiction will yield as much pleasure as Compass. Reading it amounts to wandering into a library arranged in the form of an exotic sweet shop, full of tempting fragments of stories guaranteed leaving you wanting more.’ — Eileen Battersby, Irish Times‘Compass is a challenging, brilliant, and – God help me – important a novel as is likely to be published this year.’ — Justin Taylor, Los Angeles Times‘Crisply translated by Charlotte Mandell (as was Zone), Compass is Proustian in its set-up. There are passages of pure delight with rare insight into the human condition.’ — Tobias Grey, Financial Times‘The French novelist Mathias Enard is an unusual kind of regionalist. His great subject isn’t a small town or neighborhood but the vast Mediterranean basin, and practically everyone within it. Enard speaks Persian and Arabic, and he has taught at universities throughout Europe and the Middle East. He sees the Mediterranean as a distinct literary and historical region, a “zone,” as he called it in his novel of the same title. In nine books, three of which have been translated into English, he has charted a course through this zone, writing about sectarian violence in the Balkans; the varying tugs of jihadism, tradition, and globalization in Morocco; and a rogue’s gallery of thieves, killers, and eccentrics. Enard’s prose, which tends to pile descriptive clauses ever higher on top of one another (Zone is a single, five-hundred-page sentence), can be mesmerizing. But it’s the larger project of his writing that bears particular consideration: in his fiction, Enard is constructing an intricate, history-rich vision of a persistently misunderstood part of the world.’ — Jacob Silverman, New Yorker‘Enard is like the anti-Houellebecq, and he deserves far more attention.’ — Sam Sacks, Wall Street Journal ‘The beauty of Compass is the sheer breadth and density of its vision, calling forth a multitude of different worlds, bound only by the capacious mind of its narrator, an aging Austrian musicologist named Franz Ritter.’ — Jeffrey Zuckerman, New Republic‘A love letter to the cosmopolitan Middle East ... [a] strangely powerful work.’ — Steven Poole, Guardian

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