Narrative theme: coming of age

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewIntense, gorgeous, troubling, seductive - a novel that has to be surrendered to rather than read -- Sarah Waters, Booker-shortlisted author of Fingersmith, The Night Watch and The Little StrangerA tour de force * Le Figaro *Haunting, spell-binding, luminous * Lire *An incandescent writer * Les Echos *Magnificent... a captivating autobiographical novel * Elle *A deeply personal exploration of cultural and personal identity, sexuality and belonging. Raw and sensual, readers will be enraptured by the narrator's intense evocations of guilt, desire and longing * Scotsman *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSometimes you need to clash to make an impact.Bianca Bridge is like an eyeshadow palette. She''s a vibrant kaleidoscope of big personality and even bigger dreams, with a tendency towards messiness and fallout. Case in point: ruining her career prospects and hopes of becoming a writer by having an affair with a married government minister.Fiercely confident and uncompromising, her tyrannical new boss Obadiah Cortland - makeup artist and legend in Trinidad''s beauty scene - is like a statement red lipstick. ''The God of Good Looks'' is a facade he has perfected over years of slipping through the island''s rigid class barriers, and he knows as well as Bianca that the tiniest smudge can ruin your image.When Bianca''s ex threatens both their futures, this clashing combination must find a way to work together to save everything they care about. But might they actually bring out the best in each other?Sparkling, big-hearted andTrade ReviewBianca Bridge is a heroine to root for ... A punchy romance with plenty to say about Caribbean class, poverty and sexism * Observer *A glittering will-they, won't-they Bridget Jones re-boot * Nikki May, author of Wahala *I loved it * India Knight, Sunday Times Style *A will-they-won't-they tension ensues as Mc Ivor uses the metaphor of make-up (there's an awful lot of it) to examine privilege, corruption and truth. It's wickedly funny ... Bianca is a hugely endearing heroine * Daily Mail *McIvor shines in this pitch-perfect narrative of power imbalances ... McIvor combines tight plotting and strong character development ... This makes for a winning story of comeuppance * Publishers Weekly *Likened to Bridget Jones.... It does have that same kind of wonderfully comic voice, as well as a protagonist to adore and root for * Anna Bonnet, Three Books to Read in June *After an affair with a married government official ruins her prospects of becoming a writer, Bianca takes a job with an infamous make-up artist in this warm, Trinidad-set novel * The i Paper, Best Books to Read in June *Mc Ivor uses Bianca's attempt to rebuild her life to examine issues surrounding the beauty industry and the poverty, violence and corruption blighting life in Trinidad . . . There's lots to enjoy, particularly a more authentic picture of Caribbean life than the postcard fantasy * The Times *Part feminist tract, part love letter to an island . . . A self-aware, modern, female-centered novel out of Trinidad which breaks new ground * Monique Roffey, author of Costa Book of the Year, The Mermaid of Black Conch *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA tale of forbidden sexual passion and thwarted dreams played out against the lush, summer backdrop of the Massachusetts Berkshires, Edith Wharton called Summer her ''hot Ethan.'' In their rural settings and their poor, uneducated protagonists, Summer and Ethan Frome represent a sharp departure from Wharton''s familiar depictions of the urban upper class. Charity Royall lives unhappily with her hard-drinking adoptive father in an isolated village, until a visiting architect awakens her sexual passion and the hope for escape. Exploring Charity''s relation to her father and her lover, Wharton delves into dark cultural territory: repressed sexuality, small-town prejudice, and, in subtle hints, incest.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSubmarine is the wickedly funny first novel by Joe DunthorneNOW AN ACCLAIMED FILM BY RICHARD AYOADEMeet Oliver Tate, fifteen years old. Convinced that his father is depressed (''Depression comes in bouts. Like boxing. Dad is in the blue corner'') and his mother is having an affair with her capoeira teacher, (''a hippy-looking twonk''), he embarks on a hilariously misguided campaign to bring the family back together. Meanwhile, he is also trying to lose his virginity - before he turns sixteeen - to his pyromaniac girlfriend Jordana. Will Oliver succeed in either aim? Submerge yourself in Submarine and find out . . . ''Brilliant . . . laugh-out-loud enjoyable. The sharpest, funniest, rudest account of a troubled teenager''s coming-of-age since The Catcher in the Rye'' Independent''A richly amusing tale of mock GCSEs, sex, death and challenging vocabulary . . . Excruciatingly funny incidents and cracking gags'' Time Out<Trade ReviewA brilliant first novel by a young man of ferocious comic talent * The Times *Dunthorne captures the mores of Britain today better than novelists twice his age * New Statesman *Brilliant . . . laugh-out-loud enjoyable. The sharpest, funniest, rudest account of a troubled teenager's coming-of-age since The Catcher in the Rye * Independent *Transplants The Catcher in the Rye to south Wales . . . Dunthorne can make you laugh like you did during double physics on a wet Wednesday afternoon * Observer *A richly amusing tale of mock GCSEs, sex, death and challenging vocabulary . . . Excruciatingly funny incidents and cracking gags * Time Out *Excellent . . . the wonderful, Day-Glo certainties of adolescence have rarely been so brilliantly laid out * Independent on Sunday *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTransport yourself to mid-century New York in this compelling and evocative story of secrets, jealousy and hidden love''Book of the Month'' WOMAN & HOME''Dazzling debut'' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING''So vividly evoked'' CLARE CHAMBERS''I was gripped from the first page'' SARA COX__________NEW YORK CITY, 1955.In the dimmed lights of their apartment, Dovie and Gillian love each other in secret. Mixing drinks, dancing to slow jazz, they guard their lives closely, knowing they''ll never truly be safe.And yet, outside, someone suspects the truth.Gillian fears the worst, and grips on to Dovie more tightly. But Dovie, seeing the good in people, lets the door open . . .Is this their chance to finally be free?Or are they in even more danger than before?__________''Superlative'' RED''Summer sparkles in this book and so doesTrade ReviewLoved this . . . I was gripped from the first page and eked out the last chapters as I didn't want to leave the smoky clubs of 1950's Manhattan. A stellar line-up of brave, complicated and bright women . . . prepare to lose yourself in a tale of love, loss and deceit -- Sara Cox, Radio 2 DJ and host of BBC 2’s Between the CoversSummer sparkles in this book and so does the prose! -- Damian BarrA gorgeous, evocative novel that's part love story, part coming of age and part mystery. But all parts are superlative! * Red Online *I so enjoyed That Green Eyed Girl. The atmosphere of city heat and dust and stifling apartments was so vividly evoked. And I was equally invested in both narrative strands . . . I was hooked from the beginning -- Clare Chambers, author of Small PleasuresIt's beautifully written and particularly wonderful on forbidden love, loss and forgiveness * Daily Mail *I loved this. Dovie and Ava are both such compelling characters and the evocation of time and place so strong - I was irresistibly drawn into their stories. Sad, rage-inducing and uplifting - a very emotional read -- Harriet Tyce, author of Blood OrangeJulie Owen Moylan expertly places her readers in a New York apartment, where you feel the heat and hear the tinny radio . . . There's a cinematic quality to this novel; the characters are deftly drawn and emotionally engaging, and the plot develops at the right pace, with unexpected twists. An accomplished debut * Woman & Home, BOOK OF THE MONTH *That Green Eyed Girl takes hold of you and draws you along. I loved the little connective details between the timelines and the unravelling of the gentle mystery of it all. Hits a perfect bittersweet note - I predict big things -- Kate Sawyer, author of The StrandingWith an intriguing opening line and a camera-like gaze, the author places her readers in a New York apartment, where you feel the heat and hear the tinny radio . . . The characters are deftly drawn and emotionally engaging, and the plot develops at just the right pace, with unexpected twists. An accomplished debut * Woman's Weekly *The mystery at the heart of this novel had me hooked from the start. I spent a weekend sitting in 1950s bars, listening to jazz with Gillian and Dovie, then skipping ahead twenty years to walk the same streets with Ava, remembering the awkwardness of being a teenager. Heartbreaking but with a satisfying ending, I will remember this book for a long time -- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely CityOld school New York, cocktails and jazz bars and pulsing heat. A story of love and loneliness, it's heart-breaking and complex and oh so real. I loved it -- Laura Shepherd-Robinson, author of Blood and SugarMade me cry, took me to smoke-filled jazz bars, and made me want to dance. A brilliantly written, evocative and moving novel -- Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork GirlNot only assured, pacy and involving, but both heartbreaking and heartmending -- Hope Adams, author of Dangerous WomenI've spent the whole day reading this mesmerising book. Such a devastating, gripping story and stunning, powerful writing. Once I started I just could not stop -- Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of Would I Lie to YouThis book ... wow. So beautifully written, you feel you're there in New York, feeling everything the characters feel. A very original story that will stay with me for a long time -- Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest ManA gripping tale of jealousy, loyalty and the lengths people will go to in order to protect those they love * My Weekly *With an intriguing opening line and a camera-like gaze, Julie Owen Moylan places her readers in a New York apartment, where you feel the heat and hear the tinny radio . . . There's a sensory filmic quality to this novel - the characters are deftly drawn and the plot develops at just the right pace. A very accomplished debut * Woman *I've just spent a couple of days in mid-century Manhattan, dancing in underground jazz clubs and feeling the sweat of summer on my skin . . . A smoky page-turner -- Jodie Chapman, author of Another LifeWonderful . . . utterly transported me to the jazz bars and stuffy apartments of New York, while telling a moving and compelling story about a time in history I knew little about -- Neema Shah, author of Kololo HillThe pacing is perfect, the voice is striking. Highly recommend. -- Nikki May, author of WahalaA poignant coming of age and a gorgeously romantic and tragic queer love story -- Isabel Costello, author of Paris Mon AmourI so enjoyed [That Green Eyed Girl]. I loved the evocation of NYC, the jazz, and the two storylines . . . so compelling -- Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom SpringA cracking read. Compelling and stylish. I'll be thinking about Ava, Dovie and Gillian for a long time -- Claire Alexander, author of Meredith, AloneHeartbreaking, multi-layered and thoughtfully written, this is a book that stays with you for all the right reasons * Culturefly, 'Books To Look Forward To' *From the killer first sentence until the final page, I was totally gripped by That Green Eyed Girl. Told across two timelines twenty years apart, it's deeply immersive, hugely addictive and, like the girl in the song, it will haunt me -- Paul Burston, author of The Closer I GetHow the three women are connected is tantalisingly revealed in this evocative tale * Good Housekeeping *Incredibly elegant and sophisticated prose * New Welsh Review *Set in the smoky jazz bars of 1950s New York, this debut novel by Julie Owen Moylan brings to life an array of powerful, bold and complicated women - all of whom have their own stories and secrets. The mystery at hand is soft and gently unfolds to climax into a satisfying but heartbreaking ending * Evening Standard, Best Thrillers Books to read in 2022 *Julie Owen Moylan's astonishingly accomplished debut is both a deftly constructed thriller and a bittersweet love story - expect to hear a lot about it this summer * Waitrose Weekend *Evocative, thought-provoking and incredibly moving * My Weekly *Read this if you want to be transported to NYC to feel the sizzle of summer and experience the smoky, sultry glow of 1950s jazz clubs * InsideKent *Moving. A sensitive, endearing story * Sunday Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of the Year'A stunning work of historical imagination . . . masterful in its portrayal of love, sex and friendship' - The Observer'Sparrow [is] truly unforgettable' – Daily MailMeet Jacob – aka Sparrow – a boy slave in the Spanish city of New Carthage in the last years of pagan Rome. Raised in a brothel at the edge of a dying empire, a boy of no known origin creates his own identity. He is Sparrow, who sings without reason and can fly from trouble. His world is a kitchen, a herb-scented garden, a loud and dangerous tavern, and the mysterious upstairs where the ‘wolves’ – prostitutes and slaves from every corner of the empire – conduct their business.He spends his days listening to stories told by his beloved ‘mother’ Euterpe, running errands for her lover the cook, and dodging the blows of their brutal overseer and the machinations of the chief wolf, Melpomene. A hard fate awaits Sparrow, one that involves suffering, murder, mayhem, and the scattering of the women who have been his whole world . . .In Sparrow, James Hynes brings the entirety of the Roman city of Carthago Nova – its markets, temples, taverns of the lowly and mansions of the rich – to vivid, brutal life.'Hynes renders this hidden world so powerfully and vividly.' – The GuardianTrade ReviewA stunning work of historical imagination . . . Masterful in its portrayal of love, sex and friendship * The Observer *Utterly engrossing, vivid, and honest, this coming of age story reaches across millennia to grab us by the throat.' -- Emma Donoghue, author of RoomAn unnerving, exhilarating, unflinching portrayal of sex, slavery and sisterhood . . . This is a novel of ancient times for our times. And it is splendid, a work of scorching distinction. -- Jim Crace, author of HarvestSparrow is a brilliantly written page-turner, a complex, vital, sometimes brutal story told with heartrending beauty. -- Kate Christensen, author of The Great ManHynes, using his pen like a cinematic overview, makes us see everything, the streets, the markets, the homes . . . everything is historically documented. * La Stampa *Sparrow feels like an entirely authentic portrait . . . James Hynes renders this hidden world so powerfully and vividly. * The Times *A bleak and brutal story, vividly told by Hynes, who has created a truly unforgettable character in the resilient Sparrow * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe luminous debut novel from one of Ireland's finest storytellers'The Polite Act of Drowning is a beautiful and captivating novel, lyrical and sensuous, a precise and faithful evocation of the tumult and trauma of family life, and of emergence into adulthood, and the confrontation of truths about ourselves and the people we love' - Donal RyanMichigan, 1985.The drowning of a teenage girl causes ripples in the small town of Kettle Lake, though for most the waters settle quickly. For sixteen year old Joanne Kennedy, however, the tragedy dredges up untold secrets and causes her mother to drift farther from reality and her family.When troubled newcomer Lucinda arrives in town, she offers Joanne a chance of real friendship, and together the teenagers push against the boundaries of family, self-image, and their sexuality during the tension of a long, stifling summer. But the undercurrents of past harms continuously threaten to drag Joanne and those around her under...Perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen.Trade Review'The Polite Act of Drowning is a beautiful and captivating novel, lyrical and sensuous, a precise and faithful evocation of the tumult and trauma of family life, and of emergence into adulthood, and the confrontation of truths about ourselves and the people we love' -- Donal Ryan'...loved every word of it. Such a beautifully written, evocative book ... Heartbreaking at times, this is ultimately a story of hope. The best book I've read this year so far. If you liked The Paper Palace, you'll love this' -- Michelle McDonagh * author of There's Something I have to Tell You *'Charleen Hurtubise is a gifted storyteller. The vivid world of Kettle Lake, its natural beauties, its characters and its secrets, comes alive in this lyrical, evocative novel. Hurtubise's writing is skilful, compelling, mesmeric' -- Lia Mills * Lia Mills *'A luminous and gripping portrait of a teenage girl coming of age in a small lakeshore community. Filled with colourful, complicated characters and brimming with heartbreak, love, and redemption, it is an exquisite debut from a powerful storyteller' -- Michelle Gallen * Michelle Gallen *'Hauntingly atmospheric' -- Sue Leonard * Irish Examiner *'The Polite Act of Drowning is an accomplished debut franked with credible characters and imbued with the conviction that we determine our own destiny' -- Brendan Daly * Irish Examiner *'The humid haze of small-town America in high summer is brilliantly wrought here' * Irish Independent *'Part coming of age drama, part exploration of inherited trauma, Hurtubise expertly places us in the middle of the action ... this is a tale that lingers' -- Sophie Grenham * The Sunday Times *'an impressive debut, establishing its author as someone with a keen eye for emotional detail and luscious scene-setting. Hurtubise's coming of age tale balances the tension of the trouble brewing in this community with the vulnerability, joy and pain of growing up' -- Emma Flynn * The Irish Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNow in a gift cloth edition, No Longer Human ponders profound alienationTrade Review"What I despise about Dazai is that he exposes precisely those things in myself that I most want to hide." -- Yukio Mishima"From the point of view of wholesome common sense, Dazai’s writings may be regarded as the soliloquies of a deviant." -- Yasunari Kawabata"No Longer Human is his masterpiece, though all his work is worthy. Dazai was an aristocratic tramp, a self described delinquent, yet he wrote with the forbearance of a fasting scribe." -- Patit Smith"Dazai’s brand of egoistic pessimism dovetails organically with the emo chic of this cultural moment." -- Andrew Martin - The New York Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo lonely bookworms. An unexpected friendship. A library that needs their help 'A touching story of a friendship between a troubled teenager, a yoga-practising farming woman in her seventies and a local library. A delight!' – Sunday Times bestselling author Katie Fforde Teenager Tom has always blended into the background of life. After a row with his dad and facing an unhappy future at the dog food factory, he escapes to the library. Pensioner Maggie has been happily alone with her beloved novels for ten years – at least, that's what she tells herself. When they meet, they recognise something in each other that will change both their lives for ever. Then the library comes under threat of closure, and they must join forces to prove that it's not just about books – it's the heart of their community. They are determined to save it – because some things are worth fighting for. EVEN MORE PRAISE FOR THE LIBRARY! 'Such a heart-warming and thought-provoking novel! A touching tale of true friendship, overcoming adversity and the genuine joy books can bring to our lives' – Jill Mansell 'A touching tale that will warm your heart and put a smile on your face' – Hazel Prior 'A story that was deeply moving, and ultimately uplifting... Definitely recommended – it was one of my best reads this year' – Janet Gover 'Heart-rending and inspiring in equal measures. A wonderful story. I adored it!' – Celia Anderson 'Beautifully and sensitively written, the characterisation is superb!' – Sue Moorcroft 'Absolutely LOVED IT! It's Bella's best book yet! A glorious heartfelt novel' – Christie Barlow 'The Library is a beautifully uplifting story full of wit, warmth and tender moments, with community at its heart and characters you truly care about' – Cressida McLaughlin 'I absolutely loved this book. Heart-warming with genuine characters, the plot pulled me in and I was rooting for the library every step of the way. A great tonic for the times and highly recommended!' – Talli Roland 'A truly special book, brimming with charm, heartwrenching moments and inspiring characters. The Library is one of those feel-good books that is sure to delight readers' – Carmel Harrington, author of The Moon Over Kilmore QuayTrade ReviewTender and heartwarming * Fabulous Magazine *A touching story of a friendship between a troubled teenager, a yoga-practising farming woman in her seventies and a local library. A delight -- Sunday Times bestselling author Katie FfordeSuch a heart-warming and thought-provoking novel! The Library is a touching tale of true friendship, overcoming adversity... and the genuine joy books can bring to our lives -- Jill MansellThe Library is heart-rending and inspiring in equal measures. A wonderful story of the triumphs of community over bureaucracy. I adored it! -- Celia AndersonI absolutely loved this book. Heart-warming with genuine characters, the plot pulled me in and I was rooting for the library every step of the way. A great tonic for the times and highly recommended! -- Talli RolandBeautifully and sensitively written, the characterisation is superb -- Sue MoorcroftA story that was deeply moving, and ultimately uplifting... Definitely recommended – it was one of my best reads this year' -- Janet GoverAbsolutely LOVED IT! It's Bella's best book yet! A glorious heartfelt novel -- Christie BarlowThe Library is a beautifully uplifting story full of wit, warmth and tender moments, with community at its heart and characters you truly care about -- Cressida McLaughlinTender and heart-warming * The Sun *It's hard to convey what a charming, affecting, uplifting and entertaining read it is * My Weekly *A wonderful, endearing story... A really enjoyable read * Beauty and Lace *A wonderful story of two people whose lives have not been easy. The book is written with a lovely touch of humour and so easy to read * Beauty and Lace *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A glorious love story' – Sarah Winman, author of Still LifeLonglisted for the Dublin Literary AwardA stunning story about the impossible lengths we go to for the ones we love, with a breathtaking twist, from the bestselling author of Burial Rites, Hannah Kent.Hanne and Thea’s friendship is a miracle. Before, Hanne always felt apart from the local girls, but with Thea it all came easy. Suddenly she could imagine a future for herself, a happy one, by Thea’s side.But when their tight-knit community embarks on a long and brutal journey to Australia, in search of new freedoms on old land, Hanne and Thea’s bond must find a way to survive the most impossible devastation.Will their love prove too strong for even Nature to break?'Extraordinarily daring . . . a remarkable novel, an almost visionary celebration of the death-defying power of the women’s love' - Sunday Times, Historical Fiction Book of the Month'Exquisite . . . it's taken root in my heart' – Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies'So beautiful and so raw . . . Devotion is impossibly good' – Evie Wyld, author of The Bass RockTrade ReviewPiercingly beautiful . . . [Hanne and Thea's] story is an elegy, freighted with loss and longing * Guardian *With an extraordinarily daring twist halfway through its narrative Devotion is a remarkable novel, an almost visionary celebration of the death-defying power of the women’s love * Sunday Times, Historical Fiction Book of the Month *A modern classic, on par with heart wrenching love stories such as Wuthering Heights and Pride And Prejudice. It tells the story of an achingly beautiful love and a brutal search for freedom . . . A moving tale with a breathtaking twist * The Herald *Devotion is rare and exquisite, both beautiful and muscular in its portrayal of love found and denied. It’s a story of love as a radical act . . . this is masterful storytelling with pull-no-punches stakes. It’s taken root in my heart -- Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The MerciesKent tells her heroine's burgeoning love story beautifully * The Times *Such a glorious love story. And the poetry of the landscape had, for me, a Whitmanesque sensibility. A mighty impassioned cry to love and the land -- Sarah Winman, author of Still LifeHannah Kent’s latest novel is stunning - full of magic and adventure. I fell in love with language again reading it. So beautiful and so raw. Devotion is impossibly good -- Evie Wyld, author of The Bass RockAbsolutely stunning. The writing, the characters and the twist were just perfect. Any Hannah Kent novel is guaranteed to be powerful, moving and so imaginative, but this was something else. It is a story that will stay with me -- Elizabeth Macneal, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Doll Factory and Circus of WondersA poetic story of friendship, nature and what it means to step into a new world - both physically and spiritually * Cosmopolitan *A superb novel. A fantastic merging of exquisite lyrical writing and page-turning adventure. Devotion had me constantly surprised, always entertained, and ultimately deeply moved: it deserves to be a glittering success -- Emma Stonex, Sunday Times bestselling author of The LamplightersKent combines lyrical writing with a strong sense of place in this novel that takes us from a 19th-century Prussian village to the dusty plains of Australia * Good Housekeeping *It is a love story, ardent and wholesome, and it drapes its reader in lush historical detail. Fans will find a lot to savour * Guardian Australia *[A] marvellous queer love story * InDaily *Draped in rich historical detail, Hannah Kent's luminous and poignant story explores kindred spirits and an epic search for freedom * Woman's Own *Devotion, is nothing short of divine. Kent uses prose like a magician might use a wand. I could say so much about the depth and scope of this novel, its raw, powerful connection to nature and human emotion, and it still wouldn’t do it justice. Simply put, this is a beautiful book. A liturgy of love, full of grace and wonder. -- Nydia Hetherington, author of A Girl Made of AirOne of my favourite reads of the year . . . While there is great sadness and hardship here, this surprising novel is ultimately about beauty, nature and an epic love. I adored it * ABC Arts *A tale of the refiguring might of faithful hearts; of love that sustains and love that ruins; of exile and dominion * Sydney Morning Herald *Exceptional . . . there are not many novelists writing today who can conjure a European past as vividly as Hannah Kent . . . she is a master at immersing the reader in a particular place and a particular period, specialising in stories of women on the margins trapped in close-knit communities and claustrophobic situations * New European *Devotion is utterly original. A glorious heartbreaking love story of infinite beauty -- Heather Rose, author of The Museum of Modern Love

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrederica Potter arrives at Cambridge University greedy for knowledge, sex and love. It isn't long before she becomes infatuated with a mysterious and controlling poet. Back in Yorkshire, her sister Stephanie abandons academia and is confronted with the boredom and frustrations of motherhood. Meanwhile, their younger brother Marcus begins to recover from a nervous breakdown. Each sibling is desperate to shape their own future, but a horrifying event will soon change their lives forever.Trade ReviewMarvellous... A major novel, inspiring laughter and tears -- Iris MurdochGlorious… Frederica is a magnificent creation; awkward, fierce, intellectually voracious and sexually inexperienced -- Francesca Segal, author of The Awkward AgeAffords enormous and continuous pleasure -- Anita BrooknerByatt is a wonderful writer, constantly engaging wherever she takes us * The Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Vivid, bawdy and bitter'' THE TIMES ''A first-rate first novel . . . pungent, raunchy dialogue . . . passages of fine understated wit'' IVAN GOLD, NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Pat Barker''s first novel shows the women of Union Street, young and old, meeting the harsh challeges of poverty and survival in a precarious world.There''s Kelly, at eleven, neglected and independent, dealing with a squalid rape; Dinah, knocking on sixty and still on the game; Joanne, not yet twenty, not yet married and already pregnant. Old Alice is welcoming her impending death whilst Muriel helplessly watches the decline of her stoical husband.And linking them all, watching over them all, mother to half the street, is fiery, indomitable Iris.Trade ReviewVivid, bawdy and bitter * The Times *They are gritty ... but it is not a cheap grit, rather one that has been ground out, grain by grain, in order to give a realistic picture of life as it was - and remains today for many in forgotten pockets up and down the country -- Belinda Webb * Guardian *A first-rate first novel . . . pungent, raunchy dialogue . . . passages of fine understated wit -- Ivan Gold * New York Times Book Review *The novel's point is life, and how rich and hard it is, and the different ways people have of toughing it through the pain without being crushed -- Meredith Tax * The Village Voice *Vivid, bawdy and bitter * The Times 'Barker's talent for gently sifting through the hidden depths of the human psyche is awesome’ *Nova

Read more less

Book SynopsisSuperb radically new and beautiful' ObserverMagical and evocative' Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs. HancockHeartachingly poignant' Lucy Holland, author of SistersongAn ancient tapestry of legend brilliantly rewoven' Francis Spufford, author of Light PerpetualThe new novel from the Costa-Award winning author of In The Days of Rain.AD 500. An island in the Thames.Isla has a secret: she has learned her father's sophisticated sword-making skills at a time when even entering a forge is forbidden to women. Her sister, Blue, has a secret, too: at low tide on the night of each new moon, she visits the bones of the mud woman, drowned by the elders of her tribe who wanted to make a lesson of someone who wouldn't hold her tongue.When the local Seax overlord discovers Isla''s secret there is nowhere for the sisters to hide, except across the water to the walled ghost city, Londinium. Here Blue and Isla find sanctuary in an underworld community of squatters, emigrants, travellerTrade Review ‘Superb … This is a book that seeks to do for British myth what Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller have done so brilliantly for classical literature: uncovering stories of feminine power that have been occluded by the male hand of history’ Observer ‘Gripping … puts a female perspective right at the centre of a time period usually dominated by men’s stories’ Independent ‘Female defiance blazes through as Stott’s women reclaim this brutal period…this novel will make you appreciative of the revelatory historical treasures beneath our feet’ Telegraph ‘An eloquent and heartachingly poignant story of sisterhood that echoes across the centuries. Evocative and richly mythic, Dark Earth pays homage to the quiet triumph of women working together to build a better world. A truly beautiful book’ Lucy Holland, author of Sistersong ‘A thrilling exploration of human kindness, ingenuity and cruelty, told through a tale of ancient London at one of its iconic points of destruction and rebirth’ Alice Albinia, author of Cwen ‘A magical and evocative book … Dark Earth delights, transports, chills and charms’ Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock ‘An ancient tapestry of legend brilliantly rewoven: hope, courage, men’s violence and women’s magic in an age of ruins and new beginnings’ Francis Spufford, author of Light Perpetual ‘Skilfully imagines a past world in which women must use everything they have – kinship, secrets, spells and above all the power of stories – to survive the blood feuds and land grabs of national-building tyrants’ Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll Factory ‘This novel pulses with the energy of a brave new world, a world as beautiful as it is dangerous, where a belief in myth and magic can save your life’ Katherine J. Chen, author of Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc

Read more less

Book SynopsisGloriously uplifting and unashamedly warm-hearted' Bestselling author FAITH HOGANA lovely, summery read full of secrets and hope' Bestselling author JO THOMASAn unforgettable tale of romance, humour and heart set against the stunning backdrop of the Cornish coast, from the Sunday Times bestseller.When Eden steps out of her beautiful coastal cottage to find a Speedo-wearing, suntanned stranger doing yoga in next door's garden, she is immediately on her guard. Since her ex-husband betrayed her in the worst possible ways, she has kept her distance from all men, taking refuge in her start-up coffee business.But as she gets to know Levan, Eden begins to wonder if he might be different until she discovers he's not quite what he seems. And when a long-buried family secret surfaces, her faith in those she loves most is shaken to the core.As the secrets spill out, relationships old and new will be tested like never before. Can Eden learn to trust again, and move past all the secrets of this Trade Review Praise for A Secret Cornish Summer: ‘I LOVED A Secret Cornish Summer – the uplifting summer read for every holiday tote bag. Gloriously uplifting and unashamedly warm-hearted!’ Faith Hogan ‘A lovely summery read, full of secrets and hope. A smashing slice of life in a seaside town, the perfect place to draw a line in the sand and for new beginnings.’ Jo Thomas ‘Escapism at its very best, what a book! The most wonderful setting, lovely characters and oozing with heart and hope – I adored it.’ Milly Johnson ‘Combines romance, humour and intrigue so well … The whole thing was so captivating, and I loved that there were secrets peppered and hinted at throughout … that I was desperate to uncover. A Secret Cornish Summer is blissful story, full of sunshine, secrets and Phillipa’s trademark romance, that I loved diving into.’ Cressida McLaughlin ‘Sunshine, secrets and a stunning setting make this the perfect summer read!’ Heidi Swain Praise for Phillipa Ashley: ‘Sheer joy!’ Katie Fforde ‘Within moments you’ll feel like you're at the Cornish seaside, gazing out on the waves, cream tea in hand. The ultimate summer reading escape!’ Yours Magazine ‘Full of genuine warmth and quirky characters’ Woman’s Own ‘Serious festive escapism . . . like a big warm hug’ Popsugar ‘A page-turner of a festive read’ My Weekly ‘Romantic and life-affirming’ Woman’s Weekly ‘A feel-good read for summer’ The Sun

Read more less

Book Synopsis''No man is free of his own history'' Hartmann and Fibich came to England on the kindertransport. As orphans of the war they were strangers in a strange land. Together, they survived. And in adulthood they have been unable to separate, sharing a successful business.Yet Hartmann''s carefully polished manners conceal the past he refuses to think about. While Fibich, a mass of fears and neuroses, can do nothing but remember. Together these two men seek to build a future from the shaky foundations of their own pasts . . .''Like Virginia Woolf, Brookner''s aim is not to draw characters in the round, but to reveal psychological reality in the deep'' The TimesTrade ReviewHer technique as a novelist is so sure and so quietly commanding -- Hilary Mantel Guardian Anita Brookner's best novel so far -- Victoria Glendinning She has never written a better novel ... unbearably moving -- Ruth Rendell It is hard to imagine her taut spare prose going out of fashion The Times

Read more less

Book Synopsis''The Adventures of Augie March is the Great American Novel. Search no further'' Martin AmisA penniless and parentless Chicago boy growing up in the Great Depression, Augie March drifts through life latching on to a wild succession of occupations, including butler, thief, dog-washer, sailor and salesman. He is a ''born recruit'', easily influenced by others who try to mould his destiny. Not until he tangles with the glamorous Thea, a huntress with a trained eagle, can he attempt to break free. A modern day everyman on an odyssey in search of reality and identity, Augie March is the star of star performer in a richly observed human variety show, a modern-day Columbus in search of reality and fulfilment.The Adventures of Augie March includes an introduction by Christopher Hitchens in Penguin Modern Classics.''Funny, poignant, crowded with carnivalesque types and yet narrated by a voice that is lonely and simple, it is Bellow''s fat comic maTrade ReviewAstonishingly and tremendously entertaining -- The New York TimesA rollicking, perplexing, astounding whopper of a picaresque novel * Chicago Sunday Times *Funny, poignant ... it is Bellow's fat comic masterpiece * Augie March *The great novel of the young person * Harper's *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZEFROM THE COSTA AWARD-WINNING, WOMEN'S PRIZE-SHORTLISTED AUTHOR OF UNSETTLED GROUNDEvery parent lies. But some lies are bigger than othersIn the summer of 1976 eight-year-old Peggy Hillcoat is taken from London by her survivalist father to live in a cabin in a remote European forest. When they arrive he tells Peggy that her mother and the rest of the world are gone.Now the two of them must scratch a living from the earth: trapping squirrels, foraging for berries, surviving winter as best they can. But it is easy to lose you way in the forest, to lose yourself. How long will Peggy trust her father''s story? How long can you stay sane when the world is lost? And what happens when you stop believing in everything?Extraordinary' The Sunday TimesRemarkable' Penelope LivelyHaunting, suspenseful As warped and sinister as any Brothers Grimm fairytale' MetroTrade ReviewExtraordinary...From the opening sentence it is gripping...Fuller writes with a singing simplicity that finds beauty amid the terror...might well have you crying out for more. * The Sunday Times *Fuller handles the tension masterfully in this grown-up thriller of a fairytale, full of clues, questions and intrigue. * The Times *Bewitching...a rivetingly dark tale...spellbinding. * Sunday Express *Fuller's twisted tale is compulsive, treading the fine line between charming and sinister. With its disturbing twist, Our Endless Numbered Days could well become a classic. * Stylist, 'Book Wars' *Rewardingly unsettling...as warped and sinister as any Brothers Grimm fairytale, this tautly written, tense novel is brilliant at evoking both the bewitching beauty of its setting - and its inherent dangers...haunting, suspenseful and deftly written...memorably chilling. * Metro *A debut novel that brings to mind such unlikely bedfellows as Thoreau's Walden and Emma Donoghue's Room...gripping. * Guardian *A remarkable first novel, I was much impressed by the conviction of the child's eye view, the vivid climate and the power of the narrative. * Penelope Lively *Our Endless Numbered Days is suspenseful, utterly riveting, and as dark as midnight in the forest. * Rebecca Hunt (author of Everland and Mr Chartwell) *Excellent...I loved the combination of Peggy/Punzel's absolutely authentic child's precision for detail and her day-to-day matter-of-factness (often very funny) with the strangeness of the world she inhabited...very powerfully imagined... absolutely compelling. * Morag Joss (author of The Night Following) *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBotchan is a modern young man from the Tokyo metropolis, sent to the ultra-traditional Matsuyama district as a Maths teacher after his the death of his parents. Cynical, rebellious and immature, Botchan finds himself facing several tests, from the pupils - prone to playing tricks on their new, naïve teacher; the staff - vain, immoral, and in danger of becoming a bad influence on Botchan; and from his own as-yet-unformed nature, as he finds his place in the world. One of the most popular novels in Japan where it is considered a classic of adolescence, as seminal as The Catcher in the Rye, Botchan is as funny, poignant and memorable as it was when first published, over 100 years ago.Translated by J. CohnTrade ReviewSoseki's lightest and funniest workThis rollicking rebel, and the spice and pace of the narrative, will appeal to parent, teacher, and schoolchild alike * Times Literary Supplement *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNine-year-old Suleiman is just awakening to the wider world beyond the games on the hot pavement outside his home and beyond the loving embrace of his parents. He becomes the man of the house when his father goes away on business, but then he sees his father, standing in the market square in a pair of dark glasses. Suddenly the wider world becomes a frightening place where parents lie and questions go unanswered. Suleiman turns to his mother, who, under the cover of night, entrusts him with the secret story of her childhood.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Gripping'' Curtis Sittenfeld * ''Electrifying'' Taylor Jenkins Reid * ''Remarkable'' Kevin Kwan * ''Stunning'' Sunday Times * ''Brilliant'' Pandora Sykes In South Korea, where impossible beauty standards and ruthless social hierarchies dictate your every move, four women are balancing on a razor''s edge:Kyuri, a beautiful ''room salon'' girl paid to entertain wealthy businessmen after hours.Miho, an artist whose life becomes enmeshed with the offspring of the super-wealthy elite.Ara, a hairstylist whose obsession with a K-pop star leads her to violent extremes.Wonna, their neighbour, pregnant with a child that she can''t afford.Set in the drinking dens and beauty salons of Seoul, If I Had Your Face is an electrifying debut novel about female strength, resilience and the solace that friendship can provide.''Cha''s writing always crackles . . . Touching, compelling and icily cool'' Observer''Fascinating, eye-opening, compelling - like the film Parasite, If I Had Your Face is also an exposé of the class system in South Korea'' Independent''Absolutely stunning. . . Assured, bold, and electrifying'' Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sunday Times bestselling author of DAISY JONES & THE SIX and MALIBU RISING''One of the buzziest debuts of the year, If I Had Your Face transports readers to glittering, futuristic Seoul... Essential reading'' Vogue''Culturally fascinating, emotionally layered, gripping and smart'' Curtis Sittenfeld, bestselling author of PREP and AMERICAN WIFE ''Glittering, engrossing'' Helen Oyeyemi, author of GINGERBREAD ''Remarkable, brilliantly crafted and devastatingly exquisite'' Kevin Kwan, bestselling author of CRAZY RICH ASIANS''I finished it in two sittings, have re-read it twice since and I''d still happily read it again - it''s a serious contender for one of my favourite books ever.'' RedLONGLISTED FOR THE DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE 2021Trade ReviewAbsolutely stunning . . . Assured, bold, and electrifying, If I Had Your Face marks the entrance of a bright new voice in fiction -- Taylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of DAISY JONES & THE SIXCulturally fascinating, emotionally layered, gripping and smart -- Curtis Sittenfeld, bestselling author of PREP and AMERICAN WIFEIf you loved Crazy Rich Asians or Daisy Jones And The Six then this is going to be right up your street * Grazia *Fascinating, eye-opening, compelling - like the film Parasite, If I Had Your Face is also an exposé of the class system in South Korea * Independent *I stayed up til 4am two nights in a row, absolutely riveted and astonished. Remarkable, brilliantly crafted and devastatingly exquisiteA brilliant debut * The High Low Podcast *Each voice in this quartet cuts through the pages so cleanly and clearly that the overall effect is one of dangerously glittering harmony. The tale told here is as engrossing as a war chant, or a mosaic formed with blades, every piece a memento sharpened on those unyielding barriers between us and our ideal lives. -- Helen Oyeyemi, award-winning author of GINGERBREADIf I Had Your Face is hilarious, cuttingly observant, feminist, and all-around delightful. It is hard to write a book about four protagonists and make you care for all of them-yet somehow Cha succeeds. -- Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Costa-shortlisted author of 'Starling Days'One of the buzziest debuts of the year, If I Had Your Face transports readers to glittering, futuristic Seoul. Essential reading in what Jia Tolentino memorably called the age of Instagram face. * Vogue *Compelling, understated, casually brutal, and very cynical. I love it. -- Hanna Jameson, bestselling author of 'The Last'Troubling, kaleidoscopic, and hugely enjoyable -- Nell Zink, author of THE WALLCREEPER, NICOTINE and MISLAIDIt's difficult to believe this is Frances Cha's first novel-she's a masterful storyteller. I couldn't put IF I HAD YOUR FACE down; I was riveted by the stories of four young women navigating life in the extreme, competitive environment of modern Seoul. I loved reading about a world I knew nothing about, and from the first page, it was clear Cha was the best possible guide. I highly recommend this novel. -- Ann Napolitano, author of DEAR EDWARDWonderful... unsettling and deeply affecting - the writing is beautifully spare, and captures with such clarity what it means for these four young women to be taught to hope for everything and yet continuously to receive nothing -- Rosie Price, author of WHAT RED WASIf I Had Your Face is a vivid, eviscerating depiction of social realism in contemporary Seoul. Frances Cha renders gender and class struggles with forensic detail, in a luminous voice both knowledgeable and compelling. -- Sharlene Teo, author of 'Ponti'I love the way Frances Cha rotates between mindsets to look at how beauty and privilege influence the way women live, whilst maintaining a sly lightness -- Rebecca Watson, author of 'little scratch'Make way for Frances Cha, an entrancing new voice who guides us into the complexities and contradictions of modern-day Seoul... I devoured it in a single sitting, and so will you. -- Janice Lee, NYT Bestselling Author of THE PIANO TEACHERI loved this book. It offers a fascinating window on a place and culture I knew little about, and yet from the first page it was intensely relatable - I recognised these women like friends, colleagues or sisters. Invigorating in its honesty and near-filmic in its descriptive power, If I Had Your Face is brilliantly-drawn tableau of the universalities of womanhood, the pressures we grapple with, and the way female bonds can carry us through. -- Lauren Bravo, author of WHAT WOULD THE SPICE GIRLS DO?Cha's striking first novel follows four young women in Seoul, South Korea trapped in a sphere of impossible beauty standards * Oprah Magazine, Most Anticipated Books of 2020 *A story of four women in Seoul and the way that economic and social realities determine the paths available to them * The Millions, Most Anticipated *An intimate, panoramic debut... An enthralling read from the very first page. -- Ed Park, Author of PERSONAL DAYS and Hemingway Foundation / PEN Award FinalistA provoking, ultimately inspiring tale of women pushing back against oppressive customs both traditional and new . . . Frances Cha, like her quartet of narrators, has a rebel's heartAn endearing story of female friendship staged against a backdrop of elitism, sexism and the relentless quest for cosmetic perfection... Enthralling * Vanity Fair *An insightful, powerful story from a promising new voice * Publishers Weekly *Cha's timely debut deftly explores the impact of impossible beauty standards and male-dominated family money on South Korean women * Kirkus *An eye-opening story of female friendship set against the brutal beauty standards of south Korea * Glamour *Mesmerizing... weaves together the complexities and contradictions of modern-day Seoul, in an ultimately uplifting story of women living in defiance of oppressive customs * Dazed *A gripping tale at once unfamiliar and unmistakably universal * BookRiot *A gripping portrait of four young women in South Korea... its focus on the tangled and complicated nature of female friendship is universally familiar and fascinating * Refinery 29 *Hypnotising... you won't want to put it down until the very last page * Harper's Bazaar *You'll find sisterhood at the heart of this ambitious book * New York Times Book Review *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A moving, authentic, humane novel which raises fundamental questions about what it means to be kind in an unkind world'' Guardian____________________________________________The Pizzeria Vesuvio looks like any other Italian restaurant in London - with a few small differences. The chefs who make the pizza fiorentinas are Sri Lankan, and half the kitchen staff are illegal immigrants. At the centre is Tuli, the restaurant''s charismatic proprietor and resident Robin Hood, who promises to help anyone in need. Welsh nineteen-year-old Nia, haunted by her troubled past, is running from her family. Shan, having fled the Sri Lankan civil war, is desperate to find his.But when Tuli''s guidance leads them all into dangerous territory, and the extent of his mysterious operation unravels, each is faced with an impossible moral choice.In a world where the law is against you, how far would you be willing to lie for a chance to live? Trade ReviewEnthralling as a thriller, yet also a beautiful human drama, and a serious enquiry into the possibility of goodness -- Tessa HadleyBeautiful and brilliant. The exquisite writing is vivid, poetic and perceptive; the characters alive and compelling. Everything I want from a novel. I loved it. * Stephen Merchant *Lively, poetically written and above all compassionate * Sunday Times *Timely and hopeful * Cosmopolitan *This sinuous morality tale unfurls from the alternating perspectives... Slinking along like a thriller, it encompasses people smuggling, the labyrinthine inhumanity of Britain's immigration system, alcoholism and a class prejudice that cuts both ways. Kindness and its motives are a constant preoccupation * Economist *Pulses with energy * Mail on Sunday *A startlingly original, continuously astute, and deeply compassionate novel. You People alerts us, in these dark times, to the possibility of human nobility * Pankaj Mishra *Lalwani's vivid, intensely empathic novel raises profound moral questions while maintaining the momentum and urgency of a thriller * The Lady *Lalwani is a writer who understands people, and it shines through in her descriptions. This is a moving, authentic, humane novel which raises fundamental questions about what it means to be kind in an unkind world, and it will stay with me for a long time * Guardian *Lalwani's novel tackles racism and xenophobia, but You People is essentially a compassionate human drama, full of perceptive insights * Independent, Books of the Month *Folds serious social issues into an entertaining plot * Daily Mail *Brilliant . . . A thriller reminiscent of Dirty Pretty Things. Really recommend it. * Nikesh Shukla *Intelligent and heart-piercing - an exceptional novel about the Britain we live in, even if we choose not to see itLalwani's prose has a balletic lightness * Economist *A female lead who isn't defined by a romantic story arc? Yes please. Lalwani's serious, ravishing way of writing about the secret life of Britain is just what we need * Times *You People is a short, complex novel that shines a light behind the smiles at your local restaurant, and asks tough questions about the nature of goodness in an unfair society * Sunday Telegraph BOOK OF THE WEEK *A sensitive and thought-provoking examination of an issue that is never far from the news and, as the plot accelerates, it segues into a tense and nerve-wracking thriller * Western Mail *Lalwani's novels are full of moments when the stories people tell about themselves and the world prove to be unreliable or open to manipulation.... observations are magical, fresh and unsettling * London Review of Books *If you want a book to read this summer that taps into contemporary concerns, this excellent new one from Nikita Lalwani is the one to read * Spectator *Lalwani explores kindness, altruism and the precariousness of interconnected lives in an economical tale that has the pace and suspense of a thriller * Daily Mail *Lalwani eloquently explores the prejudices, financial pressures and loneliness faced by 'outsiders' trying to survive in a hostile environment * The Tablet *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Compelling, original, hilarious' Lucy Vine, author of Bad Choices ‘Sara-Ella Ozbek’s writing shines with insight’ Emma Jane Unsworth, author of Adults ‘What a talent!’ Laura Jane Williams, author of The Love SquareHow far would you go to protect a friend? Jax Levy is an almost thirty-year-old low-paid ‘journalist’ with no hope of progression. She has a love life only ever centred around a bad decision and a family too complicated to explain.  The one area of life that Jax has down are her friends – Clara, Omni and Alice are the loves of her life. So, when Clara announces her engagement to Ed, Jax hides all of her feelings of insecurity, and commits to becoming the perfect maid-of-honour.  That is until she discovers something about

Read more less

Book SynopsisSusan Dennard’s New York Times bestselling fantasy series continues – with the story of Iseult, the Threadwitch.War has come to the Witchlands . . . and nothing will be the same again.Iseult has found her heartsister Safi at last, but their reunion is brief. For Iseult to stay alive, she must flee Cartorra while Safi remains. And though Iseult has plans to save her friend, they will require her to summon magic more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before.Meanwhile, the Bloodwitch Aeduan is beset by forces he cannot understand. And Vivia – rightful queen of Nubrevna –finds herself without a crown or home.As villains from legend reawaken across the Witchlands, only the mythical Cahr Awen can stop the gathering war. Iseult could embrace this power and heal the land, but first she must choose on which side of the shadows her destiny will lie.Witchshadow is the fourth book in the Witchlands series by bestselling author Susan Dennard.‘Truthwitch by Susan Dennard is like a cake stuffed full of your favourite fantasy treats . . . this book will delight you’ – Robin Hobb, author of Assassin’s ApprenticeTrade ReviewTruthwitch by Susan Dennard is like a cake stuffed full of your favourite fantasy treats: highway robbery, swordplay, deep friendships, treachery, magic, piracy on the high seas, and romance. If you like any or all of the above in fantasy tales, this book will delight you -- Robin HobbSusan Dennard has worldbuilding after my own heart. It’s so good it’s intimidating -- Victoria Aveyard on BloodwitchFeaturing vibrant characters and an innovative system of magic, Susan Dennard’s Truthwitch is a fast-paced adventure and a wonderful tribute to the power of the binding ties of friendship -- Jacqueline Carey on TruthwitchTruthwitch has it all: strong female characters, adventure, magic, romance, and non-stop action that will leave you breathless -- Maria V. Snyder on TruthwitchEpic fantasy, epic adventure, epic friendship -- Kate Elliott on TruthwitchA world you’ll want to inhabit forever! -- Alexandra Bracken on Windwitch[Dennard] sets scenes so skillfully that the descriptions of the geography become immersive, and the characters continually develop along familiar lines. The plentiful action in this exciting fantasy almost makes it feel like one is in a multi-player online game -- Booklist on WindwitchEmotionally charged . . . complicated politics and personal relationships that are full of surprises -- RT Book Reviews on Windwitch

Read more less

Book Synopsis_____________________Welcome to the Winter Garden. Open only at 13 o'clock.You are invited to enter an unusual competition.I am looking for the most magical, spectacular, remarkable pleasure garden this world has to offer.On the night her mother dies, 8-year-old Beatrice receives an invitation to the mysterious Winter Garden. A place of wonder and magic, filled with all manner of strange and spectacular flora and fauna, the garden is her solace every night for seven days. But when the garden disappears, and no one believes her story, Beatrice is left to wonder if it were truly real.Eighteen years later, on the eve of her wedding to a man her late father approved of but she does not love, Beatrice makes the decision to throw off the expectations of Victorian English society and search for the garden. But when both she and her closest friend, Rosa, receive invitations to compete to create spectacular pleasure gardens - with the prize being one wish from the last of the Winter Garden's magic - she realises she may be closer to finding it than she ever imagined.Now all she has to do is win.Trade ReviewAn entertaining and thought provoking fable * SFX *Compelling reading in this dark but enchanting historical fantasy * Daily Mail *An enchanting and moving story of love, loss and rivalry . . . the perfect novel to read as autumn settles upon our gardens and the icy chill of winter begins to creep in * Culturefly *A mesmerising, stunningly crafted story of loss and the importance of dreams * Waterstones *Interweaves darkness and whimsy, using the contrasts of painful reality and sparkling magic. * Fantasy Hive *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A profound examination of friendship, romantic confusion and mortality' John BoyneOne summer's evening, two men meet up in a Dublin restaurant. Old friends, now married and with grown-up children, their lives have taken seemingly similar paths. But Joe has a secret he has to tell Davy, and Davy a grief he wants to keep from Joe. Both are not the men they used to be. As two pints turns to three, then five, Davy and Joe set out to revisit the haunts of their youth. With the ghosts of Dublin entwining around them - the pubs, the parties, the broken hearts and bungled affairs - the men find themselves face-to-face with the realities of friendship.Trade ReviewMasterly... A first-rate novel about the different bonds between men and the ineffable mysteries of love. -- Claire Allfree * Daily Mail *Doyle is justly renowned for his whip-smart dialogue... And there is beauty and compassion in Mr Doyle's sculpted, spare writing. Among all the banter and gags he manages to articulate feelings that are rarely expressed so fittingly... Love is a reminder that its author is one to treasure. * Economist *Fast-paced and deceptively easy to read... Goes down as smoothly as gulps of beer. * Boston Globe *Love is altogether spellbinding... The whole book is audacious, richly layered and often comic, but ultimately deeply moving... Move over Socrates and watch an Irish master of dialogue at work. -- David Monagan * Irish Examiner *So perfectly constructed it is hard to believe it is really just about two old school friends getting drunk, and drunker... [Love] seems to bottle what male friendship can be like. -- Chris Harvey * Irish Independent *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Short but very special. ... funny, touching and quite beautiful.' Matt Cain'A powerful finale to her classic trilogy of heartbreak and healing.' Clare Chambers'An unforgettable story. It's beautiful all through, but the closing chapters are just astonishing, transcendent and hope-filled and life-affirming.' Donal Ryan'Just brilliant' Patrick Gale'Profoundly moving and deeply human, this story of self-discovery and forgiveness is essential reading. I loved every word.' Bonnie Garmus'Astonishingly powerful... Truly stunning' Ruth Jones......................................................................................................................................Ten years ago, Harold Fry set off on his epic journey on foot to save a friend. But the story doesn't end there. Now his wife, Maureen, has her own pilgrimage to make.Maureen Fry has settled into the quiet life she now shares with her husband Harold after his iconic walk across England. Now, ten years later, an unexpected message from the North disturbs her equilibrium again, and this time it is Maureen's turn to make her own journey.But Maureen is not like Harold. She struggles to bond with strangers, and the landscape she crosses has changed radically. She has little sense of what she'll find at the end of the road. All she knows is that she must get there.Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North is a deeply felt, lyrical and powerful novel, full of warmth and kindness, about love, loss, and how we come to terms with the past in order to understand ourselves and our lives a little better. Short, exquisite, while it stands in its own right, it is also the moving finale to a trilogy that began with the phenomenal bestseller The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and continued with The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy.This is a slender book but it has all the power and weight of a classic.Trade ReviewJoyce bestows tenderness and grace, revealing how forgiveness and a reckoning with the past can transform the present for the better. -- Eithne Farry * Mail on Sunday *Joyce is a fearless explorer of emotional landscape; Maureen's pilgrimage north becomesa moving account of healing and acceptance. -- Patricia Nicol * Sunday Times *Exquisite and beautifully crafted -- Ruth Jones * Daily Mail *A beautiful novella ... with compassion and tenderness ... the novel's conclusion is deeply moving and life-affirming. -- Hannah Beckerman * Observer *Very rarely, there is a writer who can touch the deepest and most hidden parts of the soul, by using the everyday matter of our daily lives to reveal the sacred that always surrounds us. This writer is Rachel Joyce, and her trilogy starting with The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, then The Love Song of Queenie Hennessy and finally Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North does just that, as well as delighting by her assured story-telling. To read her work is to think at first you are being invited to a perfect and delicious afternoon tea - then realise that you are intimate communion with what it means to be human: to suffer, to love, and to be understood. There is beauty, and the reason for art. -- Laline Paul

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Intelligent, moving and darkly comic . . . taking us deftly from serious explorations of trauma and consent to riotously funny scenes of modern life'The Sunday Times'Tipped to be THE hit book of 2022'Daily Mail'A riveting read about heartbreak, shame and self-acceptance' Red Magazine, Rising Stars of 2022'Dazzling . . . one of those novels where you think you're exploring someone else's pain, only to realise you're exploring your own'Heat, Read of the Week'A really beautiful portrayal of female friendship'Times Radio'Absorbing and clever . . . I fell in love with Mathilda'Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of The Last Act of Love'Full of heart, wit and feeling'Caroline O'Donoghue, author of Promising Young Women'Utterly brilliant'Otegha Uwagba, author of We Need to Talk About Money'A glorious new talent has arrived'Emma Gannon, author of Olive'Poignant, haunting (and hilarious!) . . . A clear-eyed heroine for a new generation'Sam Baker, author of The Shift'Fizzes with energy, rage and love, burrowing deep into those experiences that define us at our core'Jessica Moor, author of Keeper'Will be read for years by any and all young women looking for a friend'Scarlett Curtis, author of Feminists Don't Wear Pink (and other lies) There is something wrong with Mathilda.She's still reeling from the blow of a gut-punch break up and grieving the death of a loved one. But that's not it. She's cried all her tears, mastered her crow pose and thrown out every last reminder of him. But that's not helping.Concerned that she isn't moving on, Mathilda's friends push her towards a series of increasingly unorthodox remedies. Until the seams of herself begin to come undone. Tender, unflinching and blisteringly funny, What a Shame glitters with rage and heartbreak, perfect for fans of Emma Jane Unsworth, Dolly Alderton and Holly Bourne. Trade ReviewAn intelligent, moving and darkly comic debut, taking us deftly from serious explorations of trauma and consent to riotously funny scenes of modern life - it's like Fleabag with a sprinkling of the occult. * The Sunday Times *Tipped to be THE hit book of 2022 * Daily Mail *Affecting, clever and blisteringly humorous... a riveting read about heartbreak, female shame and self-acceptance -- Sarra Manning * Red Magazine *Hits the nail on the head . . . above all it's a really beautiful portrayal of female friendship. -- Laura Hackett * Times Radio *Dazzling . . . By turns funny, sharp, raw and overwhelming, this is one of those novels where you think you are exploring someone else's pain, only to realise you are actually exploring your own -- Read of the Week * Heat *Alternately haunting and hilarious . . . an original and zeitgeisty story about grief, friendship, secrets, shame and self-acceptance. * Daily Mail *It's LOL, ever-so-relatable and will also have you weeping into a snotty tissue. Love, love, love * Cosmopolitan *A modern story of grief and loss * Refinery29 *Bergstrom's prose, and especially the core dynamic of Mathilda and her friends (a coven of voice notes and anxious love) has a sweet verisimilitude that is delightfully frank, (re)inscribing warmth and intimacy for warmth and intimacy's sakes. And if it all seems a bit familiar - the millennial hodgepodge of tarot, bad dates, housemates and female trauma - well, maybe this is also the point. Maybe these stories are more common than we want to believe. * The Skinny *Absorbing and clever . . . I fell in love with Mathilda -- Cathy RentzenbrinkRaw and unexpected and weird and utterly brilliant -- Otegha UwagbaAs soon as I finished the final page of What a Shame a deep ache set in. Written by one of the cleverest and boldest writers I've ever read, it is a powerful, beautiful, fascinating novel that will be read for years by any and all young women looking for a friend. I already miss Mathilda. -- Scarlett CurtisComparisons to Sally Rooney are inevitable, but this heartfelt, sharp-yet-tender novel earns its own place in the spotlight -- Erin KellyWhat A Shame weaves eternal themes of grief and heartbreak against a modern canvas that is clear and recognisable. There's a piercing sense of what happens when your tragedy becomes your anecdote, and your anecdote becomes tiring to the people around you. Full of heart, wit and feeling, Bergstrom is a new voice but sure to be an enduring one. -- Caroline O'DonoghueA brilliant debut -- Cariad LloydRaw, poignant, haunting (and hilarious!)... In Mathilda, Bergstrom has created a clear-eyed heroine for a new generation. -- Sam BakerTruly captivating, blisteringly funny, so clever and perceptive and beautifully written. It made me want to voicenote all my friends immediately. I loved it! -- Lauren BravoA book that simultaneously punches you in the gut and makes you snort with laughter. It's beautifully raw in its delivery. A glorious new talent has arrived -- Emma GannonDark, nuanced and provocative, this is a sterling debut that fans of Caroline O'Donoghue, Holly Bourne and Emma Jane Unsworth are sure to love. Mathilda's chilling - but ultimately redemptive - story will stay with me. -- Laura Jane WilliamsRazor-sharp, compelling and darkly funny. An extraordinary novel that will stay with me for a long time. -- Laura KayWhat a Shame fizzes with energy, rage and love, burrowing deep into those experiences that define us at our core. Bergstrom writes with wit and wisdom, and Mathilda's voice is ever-incisive, fresh and compelling. -- Jessica MoorI fell hard for Mathilda and her tale of heartache, grief and acceptance. Like most of us, she's a bit weird and a bit wild, and you'll be so glad you met her. -- Laura PearsonA wry and zeitgeisty look at grief, heartbreak and the fix-you industry, What a Shame asks whether we can ever expect closure from our worst and most secret pain and fear. A must-read for anyone who has ever felt defined by a break-up. -- Harriet WalkerCrackles with wit and emotional insight . . . so good on tangled webs of feeling, the power of female friendships, and hope -- Emma HughesDark, complex and very funny. A dazzling debut about the power of self-belief, sisterhood and letting go -- Hannah ToveyA book that beautifully balances the light and the dark. I loved spending time with Mathilda, a heroine who's funny, wise, wonderfully weird and brave, and who feels like a friend. -- Chloë AshbyTender, searingly honest and widely vulnerable. I couldn't stop reading -- Angela ScanlonAn absolute corker - tender, sexy and weird. I can't wait to see what she writes next -- Michelle ThomasMy favourite kind of book: the kind that you can't help but race through, leaves you immediately devastated when you finish it and envious of everyone who has yet to read it. -- Dr SophA painfully exquisite book, by a unique talent that has single handedly rewritten the narrative of female shame -- Camilla PangAbigail Bergstrom's assured debut is a forensic excavation of the female psyche - on friendship, grief, and the secrets we keep to survive. -- Laura BaileyA beautiful, raw story of self-acceptance and shame that haunted me until I finished the last page. Reading Abigail's debut captured the pain and release that comes with laughing at a funeral. I swallowed the story in big gulps and will push it towards my friends. An ambitious, beautifully balanced novel that manages to strike laughter and heartache in equal measure. -- Abigail Mann[A] wry, poignant meditation on female shame, healing and friendship * Culture Whisperer *What a Shame is an absorbing experience; the story is strange yet brilliant . . . it's dark and raw and funny, with a woman on an emotionally engulfing journey at its centre . . . like Sorrow and Bliss on acid . . . A real gem. * Well Read with Anna Bonet *Abigail Bergstrom's darkly funny debut is a sharply observed account of a group of young women finding their way and discovering that they are more powerful than they imagined * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE INSPIRATION FOR THE OSCAR-NOMINATED MOTION PICTURE 'JOJO RABBIT'NOMINATED FOR 6 ACADEMY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST PICTURE AND BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAYThis extraordinary novel is seen through the eyes of Johannes, an avid member of the Hitler Youth in the 1940s. After he is severely injured in a raid, he discovers his parents are hiding a Jewish girl called Elsa behind a false wall in their large house in Vienna. His initial horror turns to interest, then love and obsession. After the disappearance of his parents, Johannes finds he is the only one aware of Elsa's existence in the house, the only one responsible for her survival. Both manipulating and manipulated, Johannes dreads the end of the war: with it will come the prospect of losing Elsa and their relationship, which ranges through passion and obsession, dependence and indifference, love and hate.This gripping, masterful work examines truth and lies at both political and personal levels, laying bare the darkest corners of the human soul.Trade ReviewEnthralling throughout... * My Weekly *A vivid and deeply compelling novel, Caging Skies is an existential battle of moral and ethical extremes. Christine Leunens is an adept and eloquent storyteller -- Georgia Hunter * New York Times bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones *The good-natured humour and quirkiness of the film and the drama of the novel are quite fun to contrast, and both are impactful in their own right. * Cherwell *The best part of this interesting novel is its ability to show parts of our history which others dismiss: why suffering can make some people more sensitive but others more cruel, and how a war, such an outrage to human dignity, blurs the line between the victorious and defeated * Elle *Leunens said the film showed moviegoers that "we have a choice, are we going to go back to this kind of thinking ... superior, inferior ... or are we going to move on and bring more love and compassion to our relationships?" * Guardian *Totally compelling * Woman's Weekly (NZ) *Leunens has an ear for language and the ability to create a vividly sensual world for her characters that I found highly satisfying -- Cushla McKinneyA novel that breaks all the rules. In spite of this, or maybe because of it, the result is a disturbing and gripping novel that has haunted me ever since I finished reading it. * New Zealand Books *Disturbing, moving, eminently readable - this is a story you won't be able to put down * My Weekly *. . . a novel about Hitler's Third Reich without equal * Design Observer *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNavsari, India. Penniless and trapped in a loveless marriage, Nirmala spends her days anxiously caring for her sick young son, Varun. Looming over Nirmala’s impoverished home is an imposing mansion built by her grandfather, and from its balcony her cruel aunt scorns them, refusing to help in any way. But when a mysterious letter addressed to her long-dead father arrives from Zimbabwe, it opens a door to a past Nirmala never knew existed and a future she never imagined possible. If the contents of the letter can be believed, not only does she have family in Africa, but they might also hold the answers to a family mystery that spans three generations. While travelling to Zimbabwe might lead to a brighter future for Nirmala and her son, it could also reignite the bitter family feud that condemned her family to poverty. Nirmala is ready to risk it all to uncover the truth, but how will she cope when this journey changes her life forever?Trade Review“Tailor’s debut is both evocative and intriguing.” —Booklist “The Secret of Elephants is a novel of beauty, wisdom, and discovery. Prepare to fall in love with Vasundra Tailor’s writing, I know I did…” —Amanda Prowse, international bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner

Read more less

A Freeman Award Winner for Young Adult Literature For two teens, falling in love is going to make a world of difference in this beautifully translated, bold, and endearing novel about love, loss, and the pain of racial discrimination. As a Korean student in a Japanese high school, Sugihara has had to defend himself against all kinds of bullies. But nothing could have prepared him for the heartache he feels when he falls hopelessly in love with a Japanese girl named Sakurai. Immersed in their shared love for classical music and foreign movies, the two gradually grow closer and closer. One night, after being hit by personal tragedy, Sugihara reveals to Sakurai that he is not Japanese—as his name might indicate. Torn between a chance at self-discovery that he’s ready to seize and the prejudices of others that he can’t control, Sugihara must decide who he wants to be and where he wants to go next. Will Sakurai be able to confront her own bias and accompany him on his journey?

Read more less

Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2019 JCB PRIZE FOR LITERATURESHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 DSC PRIZE FOR SOUTH ASIAN LITERATUREAn elegant, epic debut novel that follows one young woman's search for a lost figure from her childhood, a journey that takes her from Southern India to Kashmir and to the brink of a devastating political and personal reckoning.In the wake of her mother's death, Shalini, a privileged and restless young woman from Bangalore, sets out for a remote Himalayan village in the troubled northern region of Kashmir. Certain that the loss of her mother is somehow connected to the decade-old disappearance of Bashir Ahmed, a charming Kashmiri salesman who frequented her childhood home, she is determined to confront him. But upon her arrival, Shalini is brought face to face with Kashmir's politics, as well as the tangled history of the local family that takes her in. And when life in the village turns volatile and old hatreds threaten to erupt into violence, Shalini finds herself forced to make a series of choices that could hold dangerous repercussions for the very people she has come to love. With rare acumen and evocative prose, in The Far Field Madhuri Vijay masterfully examines Indian politics, class prejudice, and sexuality through the lens of an outsider, offering a profound meditation on grief, guilt and the limits of compassion.Cosmo's one of the best books by BAME writers to get excited about in 2019Longlisted for the 2019 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction Trade ReviewA courageous, insightful and and affecting debut novel - and the winner of the prestigious JCB Prize for Indian literature - which places a naive upper-class woman from southern India in the midst of far messier realities in Kashmir. Along the way, the story challenges Indian taboos ranging from sex to politics. * The Economist Books of the Year *Vijay's mastery of traditional narrative skills wouldn't be out of place in a classic 19th century novel...The Far Field is an impressive performance. It will be fascinating to see what Vijay does next. * Sunday Times *a powerful meditation on the chaos of good intentions...a masterful piece of fiction. -- Nikesh Shukla * Observer *The Far Field is an irresistible blend of moral subtlety and intellectual precision. Ingeniously conceived and elegantly written, it is a first novel of startling accomplishment. -- Pankaj MishraFor the vast majority of us, who hear of the troubles in Kashmir only as a faint strain in the general din of world tragedies, The Far Field offers something essential: a chance to glimpse the lives of distant people captured in prose gorgeous enough to make them indelible - and honest enough to make them real. * Washington Post *Shalini's quest to understand her mother's life makes for a remarkable story, and Vijay is likely to be a talent to watch. * Financial Times *Vijay probes grand themes - tribalism, despotism, betrayal, death, resurrection - in exquisite but unflowery prose, and with sincere sentiment but little sentimentality. * New Yorker *Vijay's descriptions of the mountains, the people and their everyday lives are beautiful, and that makes the hidden ugliness all the more disturbing; this is a seriously impressive debut. * The Times *Consuming... Vijay's command of storytelling is so supple that it's easy to discount the stealth with which she constructs her tale. * New York Times Book Review *Stunning....Vijay's remarkable debut novel is an engrossing narrative of individual angst played out against political turmoil. * Publishers Weekly *...deals with big questions - Indian politics, class, history and sexuality - through beautiful prose. * Huffington Post UK *Vijay intertwines her story's threads with dazzling skill. Dense, layered, impossible to pin - or put - down, her first novel is an engrossing tale of love and grief, politics and morality. Combining up-close character studies with finely plotted drama, this is a triumphant, transporting debut. * Booklist, *STARRED REVIEW* *Vivid...[THE FAR FIELD explores] complicated themes of parental fealty, identity, and religious schism...a striking debut. * Kirkus *I had to remind myself while reading The Far Field that this is the work of a debut novelist, and not a mid-career book by a master writer... Such is the power of Vijay's writing that I finished the book feeling like I'd lived it. Only the very best novels are experienced, as opposed to merely read, and this is one of those rare and brilliant novels. -- Ben FountainI am in awe of Madhuri Vijay. With poised and measured grace, The Far Field tells a story as immediate and urgent as life beyond the page. I will think of these characters - tender and complex, mysterious and flawed, remarkably real to me - for years to come, as though I have lived alongside them -- Anna NoyesThe Far Field is remarkable, a novel at once politically timely and morally timeless. Madhuri Vijay traces the fault lines of history, love, and obligation running through a fractured family and country. Few novels generate enough power to transform their characters, fewer still their readers. The Far Field does both. -- Anthony MarraAn impressive debut. -- Layla Haidrani * Cosmopolitan *

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Brilliance on every single page."-CHRISTINA LAUREN, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, for Boyfriend MaterialFAKE AMNESIA. REAL FEELINGS? REAL PROBLEMS.Sam Becker loves-or, okay, likes-his job. Sure, managing a bed and bath retailer isn't exactly glamorous, but it's good work and he gets on well with the band of misfits who keep the store running. He could see himself being content here for the long haul. Too bad, then, that the owner is an infuriating git.Jonathan Forest should never have hired Sam. It was a sentimental decision, and Jonathan didn't get where he is by following his heart. Determined to set things right, Jonathan orders Sam down to London for a difficult talk...only for a panicking Sam to trip, bump his head, and maybe accidentally imply he doesn't remember anything?Faking amnesia seemed like a good idea when Sam was afraid he was getting sacked, but now he has to deal with the reality of Jonathan's guilt-as well as the unsettling fact that his surly boss might have a softer side to him. There's an unexpected freedom in getting a second shot at a first impression...but as Sam and Jonathan grow closer, can Sam really bring himself to tell the truth, or will their future be built entirely on one impulsive lie?"The apotheosis of the rom-com."-Entertainment Weekly, A+ Review, for Boyfriend Material"Delicious, ridiculous, and often poignant." -Talia Hibbert, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, for Husband Material"Every once in a while you read a book that you want to SCREAM FROM ROOFTOPS about. I'm screaming, people!"-Sonali Dev, award-winning author, for Boyfriend Material

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Israeli master’s exceptional final novelSHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2017 Shmuel – a young, idealistic student – has abandoned his studies in Jerusalem, taking a live-in job as a companion to a cantankerous old man. But Shmuel quickly becomes obsessed with the taciturn Atalia, a woman of enchanting beauty, who also lives in the house. As the household’s tangled, tragic past becomes apparent, so too does story behind the birth of the state of Israel. Journeying back into the deep past, Judas is a love story like no other by a master storyteller at the height of his powers.‘A hero of mine, a moral as well as literary giant’ Simon Schama‘One of his boldest works of all’ Boyd Tonkin, Financial Times‘Amos Oz…brought so much beauty, so much love, and a vision of peace to our lives. Please hold him in your hearts and read his books’ Natalie PortmanJudas is the first novel selected for the Amos Oz reading circle established by Natalie Portman. Trade ReviewJudas is many-layered, thought-provoking and – in its love story – delicate as a chrysalis, this is an old-fashioned novel of ideas that is strikingly and compellingly modern. -- Peter Stanford * Observer *A very absorbing addition to his remarkable oeuvre -- Andrew Motion * Guardian *This book is compassionate as well as painfully provocative, a contribution to some sort of deeper listening to the dissonances emerging from deep within the politics and theology of Israel and Palestine. -- Rowan Williams * New Statesman *After almost two dozen books that track changes in both heart and state with untiring strength and subtlety, the Israeli master has delivered one of the boldest of all his works… Nicholas de Lange, Oz’s distinguished translator, steers these virtuoso transitions between debate and domesticity with unerring skill… Oz can imagine, and inhabit, treachery of every stripe. But he keeps faith with the art of fiction. -- Boyd Tonkin * Financial Times *A big, beautiful novel… Funny, wise and provoking. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *challenging, complex and strangely compelling… The ideas at the novel’s centre have great vitality and force. The philosophical passages bristle with linguistic energy, scriptural references and dense detail, vividly conveyed in Nicholas de Lange’s translation. -- Eva Hoffman * Spectator *It is rich in material to grapple with. Oz engages with urgent questions while retaining his right as a novelist to fight shy of answers: it’s a mark of his achievement that the result isn’t frustrating but tantalising. -- Anthony Cummins * Daily Telegraph *A masterpiece: command of the word, mastery of construct, the ability to stimulate all the senses of the reader. * La Reppublica *Judas is a rich and thrilling novel, one of the most interesting books published this year. * Haaretz *Amos Oz belongs to the great authors of world literature * Suddeutsche Zeitung *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'He must know by now, I should think, that I can give as good as I get!'This is the story of Gigi, educated as a future courtesan in Paris, her days are filled with cigars, lobster, lace and superstitions. Bored and unconvinced by what she's taught, Gigi surprises everyone with her earnest approach to love.In this classic turn-of-the-century novella, Colette unveils Gigi's journey into womanhood in rich and supple prose.Meet ten of literature's most iconic heroines, jacketed in bold portraits by female photographers from around the world.Trade Review“A perpetual feast to the reader…her prose is rich, flawless, intricate, audacious and utterly beautiful.” -- Raymond Mortimer

Read more less

Book SynopsisRead the spicy romance that became a TikTok and Netflix sensationRaquel Álvarez has one goal - to become a psychologist. Well, that and to get Ares Hildago to notice her.For as long as Raquel can remember, she has been obsessed with Ares - her rich, hot, mysterious neighbour. Even though he lives next door, Raquel has never spoken to him - until a chance encounter reveals her crush is anything but unrequited, and their steamy attraction grows into something much more.Raquel is all in with Ares. But Ares can't, or won't, commit, as his struggle with personal and family responsibilities leaves little room for falling in love.What burns bright burns fast, but for Ares and Raquel, can it last?

Read more less

Book SynopsisFROM THE BOOKER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE PROMISEA young man takes three journeys, through Greece, India and Africa. He travels lightly, simply. To those who travel with him and those whom he meets on the way - including a handsome, enigmatic stranger, a group of careless backpackers and a woman on the edge - he is the Follower, the Lover and the Guardian. Yet, despite the man's best intentions, each journey ends in disaster. Together, these three journeys will change his whole life. A novel of longing and thwarted desire, rage and compassion, In a Strange Room is the hauntingly beautiful evocation of one man's search for love, and a place to call home.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJames Joyce's first novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a Kunstlerroman which chronicles the emotional and intellectual development of Stephen Dedalus - a character partly based on the author himself - from his early childhood and his school and university days all the way to his first forays as a young artist. Dedalus's thoughts and epiphanies reveal the tensions, insecurities and feelings of guilt that are the product of living in a country and period so deeply divided along religious and political lines. Pioneering an innovative stream-of-consciousness technique characteristic of early Modernism, and often resorting to mythical, historical and literary allusion which would find fuller expression in Ulysses, Joyce's groundbreaking work shocked the readers of its day and continues to challenge analysis and interpretation.Trade ReviewHis writing is not about something; it is that something itself. -- Samuel BeckettThis volume likely presents the most ambitious annotations of tlle novel to date and might even surpass Don Gifford's colossal stand-alone reference guide. -- Greg Winston * James Joyce Quarterly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisUnable to get around without a wheelchair, the doll-like Josee leads a solitary,housebound existence. But when she meets her new live-in caretaker, a recent collegegraduate named Tsuneo, everything in her life is upended. "Josee, the Tiger and theFish" depicts the fragile, strangely erotic relationship that blossoms between these twoyoung people. In addition to the title story, this collection also includes seven shorttales centering on working women and the myriad loves and partings of their lives.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAngel is dark and plain, introverted and submissive, a spontaneous composer of childish verses, wholly consumed by the wild, seductive spell of her cousin Lara - a beautiful, irresponsible creature who expresses herself in free-form dance.What begins as a tender and intimate attachment between two young girls deepens in adulthood into something complex and perilous, as Lara''s life spins in increasingly erratic circles while Angel''s passionate devotion to her remains undiminished. It is a feverish and impenetrable relationship, of reckless master and willing slave, one forged to shield both Angel and Lara from the harshness of their surroundings, as well as from the far greater terrors of the self. It is a relationship that will end in terror for the young women, and for their families.Set against the vivid, dream-like landscape of of Manhattan in the recent past, Poet and Dancer is an altogether unforgettable novel, written with the subtlety, wry humour and Trade ReviewAll the vibrant, cosmopolitan buzz of roaring Manhattan pulses through this disturbing read * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisUnfortunately people and tribes degenerate. They lose their teeth, forget their language, until finally they're bending meekly on the fields and cutting straw with a scythe.Leemut, a young boy growing up in the forest, is content living with his hunter-gatherer family. But when incomprehensible outsiders arrive aboard ships and settle nearby, with an intriguing new religion, the forest begins to empty - people are moving to the village and breaking their backs tilling fields to make bread. Meanwhile, Leemut and the last forest-dwelling humans refuse to adapt: with bare-bottomed primates and their love of ancient traditions, promiscuous bears, and a single giant louse, they live in shacks, keep wolves, and speak to snakes.Told with moving and satirical prose, The Man Who Spoke Snakish is a fiercely imaginative allegory about a boy, and a nation, standing on the brink of dramatic change.Trade ReviewThe Man who Spoke Snakish is a wild comic swoop through the histories of Estonia, magic, human-powered flight and man-bear relations. At once fantastic and emotionally engaged, underneath the narrative high-jinks lurks a deeply serious novel about how Europe became the way it is. -- Lawrence Norfolk, author of JOHN SATURNALL'S FEASTHow to describe the book? Imagine it is the end of the world, and Tolkien, Beckett, Mark Twain, and Miyazaki (with Icelandic sagas and Asterix comic books stuffed under their arms) have got together in a cabin to drink and tell stories around the last bonfire the world will ever see. * Le Magazine Littéraire *The sense of humour and the imagery resembles a graphic novel or animated film... Probably one of the best contemporary novels about what it means to be alone... Marvelous in all senses of the word. * Le Monde *Kivirahk provides a compelling and creaturely backdrop for the warring facets of Leemut's coming-of-age... This is an epic fantasy... I felt compelled to continue reading in the certain knowledge that I'd soon stumble upon a scene of great power and beauty or an elegantly aphoristic turn of phrase. -- Dustin Illingworth, Words Without BordersAn incredible novel, a mystifying treasure of a book. * Psychologies Magazine *This fantastical Bildungsroman has the feel of a classic... The novel shines... * New York Journal of Books *It is good, it is beautiful, you will read it in one sitting, it radiates intelligence... It is a true literary miracle. * L'Ivre de Lire *Somewhere near the realms of fantasy and science fiction there exists a much more thrilling and allegorical form of writing, bending the rules of the genre to suit itself... The Man Who Spoke Snakish is an allegory about fading eras and vanishing worlds, and laced with a good dose of black humor to boot. -- Jürgen Rooste, Estonian cultural critic[A] tumultuous Tolkien-like epic set in early medieval Estonia, where forces of modernity and tradition clash in a primeval struggle for the Baltic nation's soul - and it's future... At its essence, this book is a Bildungsroman, a coming of age saga about a young man reconciling with a world experiencing seismic change... A strange, wondrous book. * Robert Collison, Toronto Star *This translated Estonian treasure follows the adventures of a boy who is the last remaining speaker of Snakish, an ancient language by which he can command any animal. * Entertainment Weekly *Epic, fantastical... Most astonishing is the inventive imagery... Kivirähk's well-plotted story of language, loss, and fanaticism speaks powerfully to our world's ever present conflicts. * Kirkus *Lots of fun here...but Kivirähk is also concerned with the dangers of war, colonization...and idealizing the past. A big bestseller in Europe. * Library Journal *Fable-like, timeless... The Man Who Spoke Snakish is a great novel, one of those important books that speaks to your soul in its own language and which marks a milestone on your personal reading history and in the development of your opinions. * Blog des Bouquins *This novel is totally unusual; it has the same strangeness as La Locura de Dios by Juan Miguel Aguilera or Cold Skin by Albert Sanchez Piñol. The author talks about Estonia (his country) in the 13th century, when 'iron men' invaded the country on a crusade. It jumps between philosophical fable, political pamphlet, Nordic saga, and includes some epic outbursts of violence. * Decitre.fr *This allegorical story spins an element of wistful longing for anyone who has struggled between the old and the new, its lessons as relevant today as ever. * Booklist *This novel slithers along like the snakes it so admires, agile and often unexpectedly compelling... Its irreverence for convention flows charmingly from its conversational prose... Readable and engaging, it's easy to see how this novel could become the delight of a nation. -- Emma Schneider, Full StopThe Man Who Spoke Snakish has the feeling of a folktale... This isn't to say that it's a work of light fantasy, however - like Margo Lanagan's 2008 Tender Morsels, there's an undercurrent of violence that keeps the more mirthful aspects at a distance. * Tobias Carroll, Literary Hub *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe wonderful bestselling novel from Barbara Trapido, with an introduction by Joanna BriscoeTrade Review‘This is a gorgeous book about growing up ... it also manages to convey, with admirable lightness of touch, the dawning of a political consciousness ...A wonderful read' * Observer *'A beautifully written slice of both personal and political history ... by the end of the novel, you are immersed in her world and simply never want to leave it' * Guardian *'A blissfully funny sequence of portraits, family upon family, vignette upon vignette' * Daily Telegraph *'I love Barbara Trapido and I adore her books' * Carole Shields *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe number one Sunday Times bestseller'A touching, tender tale of boy meets boy in the bleak tenements of Glasgow . . . Superb' – The Times ‘Best Summer Reading’'Love and hope across the religious divide in a fervent, gritty and emotionally engrossing novel' –The Guardian 'Best Reads For Summer'‘Writing of transcendent beauty’ – The Financial Times ‘Best Summer Books’The extraordinary, powerful second novel from the Booker prizewinning author of Shuggie Bain, Young Mungo is both a vivid portrayal of working-class life and the deeply moving story of the dangerous first love of two young men: Mungo and James.Born under different stars, Protestant Mungo and Catholic James live in a hyper-masculine world. They are caught between two of Glasgow’s housing estates where young working-class men divide themselves along sectarian lines, and fight territorial battles for the sake of reputation. They should be sworn enemies if they’re to be seen as men at all, and yet they become best friends as they find a sanctuary in the doocot that James has built for his prize racing pigeons. As they begin to fall in love, they dream of escaping the grey city, and Mungo must work hard to hide his true self from all those around him, especially from his elder brother Hamish, a local gang leader with a brutal reputation to uphold.But the threat of discovery is constant and the punishment unspeakable. When Mungo’s mother sends him on a fishing trip to a loch in Western Scotland, with two strange men behind whose drunken banter lie murky pasts, he needs to summon all his inner strength and courage to get back to a place of safety, a place where he and James might still have a future.Imbuing the everyday world of its characters with rich lyricism, Douglas Stuart’s Young Mungo is a gripping and revealing story about the meaning of masculinity, the push and pull of family, the violence faced by so many queer people, and the dangers of loving someone too much.Trade ReviewPrepare your hearts, for Douglas Stuart is back. After the extraordinary success of Shuggie Bain, his second novel, Young Mungo, is another beautiful and moving book, a gay Romeo and Juliet set in the brutal world of Glasgow’s housing estates. * Observer *I wasn't sure Young Mungo could live up to Shuggie Bain, but it surpasses it. Deeply harrowing but gently infused with hope & love. And so exquisitely written. It's a joy to watch, in real time, as Douglas Stuart takes his place as one of the greats of Scottish literature. -- Nicola SturgeonFew novels are as gutsy and gut-wrenching as Young Mungo in its depiction of a teenage boy who finds love amid family dysfunction, community conflict and the truly terrible predations of adults. Vividly realised and emotionally intense, this scorching novel is an urgent addition to the new canon of unsung stories. -- Bernardine EvaristoSome novels can be admired, others enjoyed. But it is a rare thing to find a story so engrossing, bittersweet and beautiful that you do not so much read it, as experience it. It is this quality Young Mungo possesses - an intense, lovely, brutal thing. Stuart is a masterful storyteller. -- Kiran Millwood HargraveI can honestly say that the second novel from the author of Shuggie Bain... surpassed my (high) expectations. Stuart makes you care deeply about all of his characters but none more than Mungo, Mo-Maw's beloved, "the softest, sweetest boy she had ever known". * Bookseller, 'Fiction Book of the Month' *

Read more less

Book SynopsisParis, 1959. As dusk settles over the immigrant quarter, 12-year-old Michel Marini - amateur photographer and compulsive reader - is drawn to the hum of the local bistro. From his usual position at the football table, he has a vantage point on a grown-up world - of rock 'n' roll and of the Algerian War. But as the sun sinks and the plastic players spin, Michel's concentration is not on the game, but on the huddle of men gathered in the shadows of a back room... Past the bar, behind a partly drawn curtain, a group of eastern European men gather, where under a cirrus of smoke and over the squares of chess boards, they tell of their lives before France - of lovers and wives, children and ambitions, all exiled behind the Iron Curtain. Listening to this band of survivors and raconteurs, Michel is introduced to a world beyond the boundaries of his childhood experience, a world of men made formidable in the face of history, ideas and politics: the world of the Incorrigible Optimists Club.Trade ReviewExtraordinary... The Incorrigible Optimists Club feels as if you are witnessing the birth of a true, great novelist * Lire *A debut, a door-stopper, a masterpiece * La Parisienne *Powerful, deep, sad and joyful... A debut novel of staggering mastery * L'Express *Masterful... By turns comical, sad and genuine. It captured our hearts. * L'Humanite *A magnificent generational portrait... A novel that occasionally makes you cry and often makes you laugh * Le Figaro *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World.Jane Austen's best-loved novel is an unforgettable story about the inaccuracy of first impressions, the power of reason and, above all, the strange dynamics of human relationships and emotions.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful hardbacks make perfect gifts for book lovers, or wonderful additions to your own collection. Gorgeously illustrated by the celebrated Hugh Thomson, this edition also includes an afterword by author and critic, Henry Hitchings.A tour de force of wit and sparkling dialogue, Pride and Prejudice shows how the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet and the aristocratic Mr Darcy must have their pride humbled and their prejudices dissolved before they can acknowledge their love for each other.Trade ReviewAn unputdownable read that challenges perceptions, and subtly marks a line in feminist history and thought -- Victoria Lambert * The Telegraph *Jane Austen’s self-enclosed world enveloped me, soothing in its contours and assumptions . . . irresistible -- Susan Chira * The New York Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnne of Green Gables meets Diana Wynne Jones in this whimsical fantasy adventure perfect for teen readers.I don't know who you are, or why you need me, but you hurt her again and I will make you payAlice has lived in the forest on the fringes of Alder Vale ever since her parents abandoned her. Alone, exiled, and feared by all. All except Lily.Nature has always been Lily's tonic, and she never feels more alive than when she's amidst the trees. It was Alice who first called them the sisters of shadow, Lily the sunshine to her moonlight, for neither can exist without the other.But something is stirring beyond the mountains. Whispers of spectres stalking the moors, women of unfathomable power luring children into a cult that has haunted local lore for a generation.When Alice disappears, Lily knows she must rescue her or risk losing her forever.Because the rumours were true all alongExile.Monster.Witch.Here's what readers are saying:Hot freaking damn guys. Sisters of Shadow was so good! BeyTrade Review‘Hot freaking damn guys. Sisters of Shadow was so good! Beyond addicting. I honestly couldn't put the book down until I reached the very last page’ Alaina, NetGalley ‘Full of raw, dripping magic… characters that are complex, something that I would expect to come from V E Schwab… I cannot get it out of my head. I need more, MORE, from Livesey’ Dalton, NetGalley ‘I was hooked from the beginning’ Lara, NetGalley ‘This was a gripping read, full of love, friendship, working together to overcome fears and the battle of good vs evil… should definitely be added to your TBR’ Ronni, NetGalley ‘I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The world the author created was brilliant and so immersive’ Amy, NetGalley ‘I suspect this book will have a certain Tik-Tok generation appeal… A gentle, whimsical fantasy story of best friends, first love and witches!’ Rebecca, NetGalley ‘The young adults in this book are so fierce and full of action’ Kelly, NetGalley ‘This book didn't disappoint’ Natàlia, NetGalley

Read more less

Book SynopsisLily, Alice, Grace, and Jem are back in the third and final spellbinding instalment in the Sisters of Shadow trilogy by Katherine Livesey!She couldn't work out if it was the world that had changed, or herselfWhen lightning shatters the darkness into a blazing jigsaw of panic and pain, Lily and her friends realise they've been transported through the jaws of the wild storm right to the gates of Midnight Manor, home of High Priestess of the Shadow Sect herself, Hecate Winter.But as a swarm of figures in hooded golden cloaks surrounds them it soon becomes clear: the real enemy was never hewn from the shadows but hidden in the light.A notorious legion of exorcists from beyond their borders, the Brotherhood of Light have been secretly abducting them for generations and indoctrinating them into believing there are good witches and bad witches, all subordinate to the whims of their oppressors.Now it's up to them to build a sisterhood strong enough to survive the sunrise.Readers have been captTrade Review‘Hot freaking damn guys. Sisters of Shadow was so good! Beyond addicting. I honestly couldn't put the book down until I reached the very last page’ Alaina, NetGalley ‘Full of raw, dripping magic… characters that are complex, something that I would expect to come from V E Schwab… I cannot get it out of my head. I need more, MORE, from Livesey’ Dalton, NetGalley ‘This was a gripping read, full of love, friendship, working together to overcome fears and the battle of good vs evil… should definitely be added to your TBR’ Ronni, NetGalley ‘I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The world the author created was brilliant and so immersive’ Amy, NetGalley ‘I suspect this book will have a certain Tik-Tok generation appeal… A gentle, whimsical fantasy story of best friends, first love and witches!’ Rebecca, NetGalley ‘The young adults in this book are so fierce and full of action’ Kelly, NetGalley ‘This book didn't disappoint’ Natàlia, NetGalley

Read more less