A Changed Man
by Francine Prose
Would you believe a Swastika-tattooed neo-Nazi who walks into a humanitarian organisation run by a Holocaust survivor, announcing he wants to make a radical change in his life and help their cause?
Length Of Book
400-500 pages |
Where In The World?
North America
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Broad Theme/Genre
Contemporary Life |
Style
Thought-provoking |
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The latest comment on this bookI have always felt that Francine Prose should be better known in the UK. If you're a fan of Philip Roth or Joyce Carol Oates, I guarantee you'd enjoy Francine's books, and A Changed Man in particular. She writes beautifully and is a joy to read.
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Keeping Secrets
by Andrew Rosenheim
Keeping Secrets tells the story of Jack Renoir, a man who makes his living discovering other people’s secrets while making sure he keeps his own.
Length Of Book
350-400 pages |
Where In The World?
UK
|
Broad Theme/Genre
Contemporary Life |
Style
Literary |
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The latest comment on this bookA gripping well written read
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In a Good Light
by Clare Chambers
A perceptive, highly original depiction of the eccentricities of English suburban life: this is the story of Esther Fairchild who, at the age of thirty-four, has become trapped in a mundane routine until one day a face in the crowd jolts her out of her humdrum existence and forces her to question both her life and the past that has helped to shape it.
Length Of Book
More that 500 pages |
Where In The World?
UK
|
Broad Theme/Genre
Contemporary Life |
Style
Literary |
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The latest comment on this bookThis was a bit like Unstolen by Wendy Jean or Hide and Seek by Clare Sambrook for me in that it was a unsentimental tale of childhood. I loved the story of Esther growing up with some very funny and excruciating moments while knowing that something momentous was going to happen.
The ends tied up well and all in all a good story well told
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The Solitude of Thomas Cave
by Georgina Harding
We first meet Thomas Cave through the eyes of Thomas Goodlard, a young man aboard the whaling ship Heartsease, who is fascinated by this enigmatic figure, calmly wagering that he can survive a year in the Arctic alone.
Length Of Book
250–300 pages |
Where In The World?
Arctic/Antarctica/At Sea
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Broad Theme/Genre
Adventure |
Style
Thought-provoking |
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The latest comment on this bookThis book really appeals to me, it has definitely gone onto my "to read" list! Not sure what my reading group would think - some of them aren't very keen on "cold" books (whereas I always drift towards them!). But it does sound like the themes and ideas explored here would give plenty of discussion.
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My Dirty Little Book of Stolen Time
by Liz Jensen
Charlotte is a wonderfully sharp-witted and resourceful protagonist who takes the reader on this time-travelling romp through the dark underworld of Copenhagen and the bright lights of 21st century London.
Length Of Book
300-350 pages |
Where In The World?
UK
|
Broad Theme/Genre
Comedy |
Style
Light Narrative |
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The latest comment on this bookamused me greatly
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Happiness
by Will Ferguson
An hysterically funny, disturbingly prescient and highly engaging parody, a book that takes a simple idea to its natural conclusion and in the course of doing so makes the reader both think hard and cry with laughter.
Length Of Book
300-350 pages |
Where In The World?
North America
|
Broad Theme/Genre
Comedy |
Style
Literary |
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The latest comment on this bookThis was meant to be a comedy but I didn't find it funny. I couldn't finish it as I didn't enjoy it at all.
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A Sunday in the Pool in Kigali
by Gil Courtemenche
At the heart of the novel lies one of the darkest chapters in human history, the attempted genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus in 1994.
Despite the book’s bleakness, it is also an extraordinary love story, one that no reader could fail to be ensnared by and reduced to a sobbing wreck.
Length Of Book
250–300 pages |
Where In The World?
Africa
|
Broad Theme/Genre
General Fiction |
Style
Literary |
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The latest comment on this bookThe events recounted in this book really do defy belief and as a book group book, it certainly gives a lot to talk about. However, I'd have to say that I actually prefer the film. The book reads to me as it's been translated from the French - long, wordy sentences etc - which of course it has.
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The Flood
by David Maine
We assume we know the story of Noah and the Ark, of what happened when the world was flooded and everyone died bar Noah’s family but the truth is we only know a fraction of the story. Maine takes this highly dramatic tale and breathes life into it in the most daring of ways.
Length Of Book
250–300 pages |
Where In The World?
Arctic/Antarctica/At Sea
|
Broad Theme/Genre
General Fiction |
Style
Literary |
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The latest comment on this bookI loved this short book about Noah, very clever and thought provoking.
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I’m Not Scared
by Niccolo Ammaniti
Whilst playing with some friends in a dilapidated barn, Michele discovers a young boy who has been kidnapped, only to learn that the whole adult community, including his parents, are complicit in the crime.
Length Of Book
200-250 pages |
Where In The World?
Europe
|
Broad Theme/Genre
General Fiction |
Style
Literary |
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The latest comment on this bookVery good........couldn't put it down. Very realistically and credibly seen through a child's eyes.
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Under the Skin
by Michel Faber
The story of Isserley, a rather strange woman, who we quickly learn has a weakness for hitchhikers – as long as they are male, well-built and on their own. What she then does with these men she gets into her car forms an essential part of this highly original and compelling novel.
Length Of Book
250–300 pages |
Where In The World?
UK
|
Broad Theme/Genre
General Fiction |
Style
Literary |
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The latest comment on this bookYou'll either get it or not get it, love it or hate it but it will certainly make you talk about it and you won''t forget it in a hurry - I love quirky books and BTW I really enjoyed Crimson Petal too - the one thing they do have in common is that Mr Faber doesn't hold back for fear of offending, he tells it as it is. Not too often you get such "honesty" in a writer these days.
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