Fiction reviews
Fiction book reviews, looking at some of the best new literature publications, including hardback and paperback releases, new authors and the review of existing classics.
Swimming Home, Deborah Levy review
As the name suggests, Swimming Home by British writer Deborah Levy is a submerged plunge into the refracting light and pockets of darkness of home life abroad. Nominated for the 2012 Booker
James Patterson & Mark Sullivan, Private Games review
It’s not necessarily meant to be a comedy, but there’s definitely a few laughable moments in James Patterson’s latest crime thriller, Private Games, co written with Mark Sullivan. It’s not that
The Vanishing Act by Mette Jakobson review
Mette Jakobson’s The Vanishing Act is well written, interesting and very different from a lot of other novels that look at love, relationships, family and loss. However, it just falls short of
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
Combining the fantastical imagination of Terry Pratchett with the sci-fi skills of Stephen Baxter, The Long Earth is a great new addition to the world
I, Partridge by Steve Coogan review
Steve Coogan has been a comedy legend for more than 20 years and I, Partridge brings the entire length and indeed breadth of his career together in the life and times of
Malice in Blunderland by Jonny Gibbings review
Review by William Stack The darkest funny you will ever read. Malice in Blunderland was an unexpected find. It is also an extra pleasure in that nobody else has heard of it,
A.D. Miller, Snowdrops
Shortlisted in the 2011 Booker Prize, and the CWG Gold Dagger 2011, A.D. Miller’s Snowdrops got close to pulling off a couple of awards last year. It’s quietly gripping as it seeps
Room, by Emma Donoghue review
Longlisted for the 2011 Orange Prize and shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2010, Emma Donaghue’s Room lives up to the expectations of its plaudits with ease
Martin Amis, The Pregnant Widow
From the look of the front cover, you might be fooled into thinking that Martin Amis’ The Pregnant Widow is a fun holiday read, but nothing can be further from the truth.
Solar, by Ian McEwan
Ian McEwan’s Solar is darkly comic, interesting and absorbing in parts, but overall a bit unfulfilling unless seen as a warning against selfish egoistic behaviour. However, the main problem is that the
