This is a relatively academic book with lots of close reading, but the chapters are well-organised and engaging, so it’s also a fun read for anyone who likes Shakespeare and…
1606: Shakespeare and the Year of Lear by James Shapiro
The Home by Penelope Mortimer
My second Penelope Mortimer novel in a short time, and I think I enjoyed this more than The Pumpkin Eater. There are similar themes here, but this book is less…
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
A story about a life that starts auspiciously on the 15th of August, 1947, the day of Indian independence; Saleem’s life is wrapped up in his country’s history from day…
The Cost of Living by Deborah Levy
Started with #2 of a trilogy and have no regrets: this is part of her “living memoir” series. There are some lovely vignettes here that explore different aspects of divorce…
Odd Girl Out by Elizabeth Jane Howard
My first novel from this writer, I was reminded of other writers such as Margaret Drabble, Iris Murdoch etc. But maybe that’s unfair to Howard’s originality! It was very easy…
Sleep No More by P.D James
A great collection of six short stories from a master crime writer! I’m an avid short story reader, but these murderous tales are especially good. There’s just something about a…