LÁSZLÓ KRASZNAHORKAI Herscht 07769. Reviewed by James Arbuthnott
László Krasznahorkai’s latest novel encompasses physics, the music of JS Bach, and an obsessive correspondence with the German chancellor. László Krasznahorkai enthusiasts won’t be surprised he’s written a 430-page novel comprising a single sentence....
STEPHEN DOWNES Mural. Reviewed by Ann Skea
Stephen Downes’ debut The Hands of Pianists was shortlisted for the PM’s Literary Awards. His second ranges across art, violence, folklore and mental illness. This is a strange book. Not just because the narrator is a violent criminal writing his thoughts for his...
JODI PICOULT By Any Other Name. Reviewed by Sally Nimon
Jodi Picoult’s latest novel reimagines Shakespeare and shows little has changed since the sixteenth century for women playwrights. ‘I believe we can help each other,’ Emilia said. ‘You wish for everyone to know your name; I wish for no one to know mine.’ So begins...
SARAH BETH DURST The Spellshop. Reviewed by Amelia Dudley
Sarah Beth Durst calls her new novel ‘cozy fantasy’ and delivers a tale of magic, persecution – and jam-making. Librarian Kiela flees the burning Great Library of Alyssium with Caz, her chatty, sentient spider-plant assistant, and as many priceless (and highly...
COURTNEY COLLINS Bird. Reviewed by Emma Foster
The lyrical second novel from the author of The Burial criss-crosses through time following one girl’s parallel lives. Bird is the pensive, defiant 14-year-old protagonist of Courtney Collins’ new novel. In the opening chapter, she’s living with her family in a...
JAMES SA COREY The Mercy of Gods. Reviewed by Robert Goodman
The team that is James SA Corey – author of The Expanse – delivers the first instalment of an epic new science fiction series. Lovers of good science fiction will be aware of the name James SA Corey. It is the pen name of Ty Frank and Daniel Abraham who, as a pair,...
COLM TÓIBÍN Long Island. Reviewed by Catherine Pardey
The new novel from the author of The Magician and A Guest at the Feast continues the story of one of his most popular characters. In Long Island, his sequel to the award-winning 2009 Brooklyn, Tóibín returns to familiar territory. Brooklyn begins with Eilis Lacey...
GAIL PARENT Sheila Levine is Dead and Living in New York; SARAH ROSE ETTER Ripe. Reviewed by Jessica Stewart
When Gail Parent published Sheila Levine in 1972 it wasn’t called a ‘sad girl novel’; in 2024 Sarah Rose Etter’s Ripe shows the trope’s enduring popularity. Content warning: suicidal ideation Over 50 years ago, Gail Parent wrote a dark satire about a young...
KIRSTY ILTNERS Depth of Field. Reviewed by Ann Skea
Winner of the 2023 Dorothy Hewett Award, photographer Kirsty Iltners’ first novel explores both darkness and light. If you want to freeze something fast, you increase the shutter speed – but it makes the image darker. Tom’s memories of his first encounter with Adeline...
KA LINDE The Wren in the Holly Library. Reviewed by Amelia Dudley
In KA Linde’s latest fantasy series, humans and monsters live together under a tenuous peace treaty in an alternate New York. Kierse’s latest contract – to break into some rich guy’s house and steal a ring – seemed simple enough until she realised the rich guy,...
JESSIE TU The Honeyeater. Reviewed by Ann Skea
The second novel from the author of A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing unpeels secrets in the life of a young Taiwanese translator. Fay’s widowed Taiwanese mother brought her to Australia when she was still a baby. Now, Fay is a well-qualified translator, teaching at...
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