Recently arrived literary fiction
Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd
Set in the 1960s at the height of the cold war, Gabriel Dax is a travel writer who is lured into the web of Faith Green, an enigmatic and manipulative MI6 handler who draws him deeper into the world of spying, deceit and double-crossings. Unsure whom to trust, Gabriel must learn to navigate an increasingly unstable world with shift alliances and hidden agendas. a smart and suspenseful historical spy thriller for readers of John Le Carre and Graham Greene.
Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu
After the collapse of his once happy marriage, Mamush, a journalist of Ethiopian heritage returns to his home town of Washington D.C, the place that has shaped his life. There he discovers that Samuel, a charismatic and influential figure from his community, has suddenly died, leaving Mamush with questions about his own life. Mengestu captures the cultural tensions that exist within immigrant communities as, we witness the struggles and triumphs of a generation caught between two worlds, grappling with their heritage, their identity, and their place in the world.
Taiwan Travelogue by Shuangzi Yang
Presented as a 'found' document, a travel memoir of a young Japanese woman in Taiwan in 1938, we see the island, then under Japanese control, through the eyes of Chizuko. A desire to see the 'real' Taiwan and to eat its famous cuisine, the charming Chizuru is hired as a guide and Chizuko is introduced to the real country that lies under the obscuring veil of colonisation. As the two women eat drink and travel, they grow closer, a bond that will be tested by politics, power dynamics and social realities.
James Ballard is a recently widowed medical editor and single father, tasked with maintaining the integrity of the "Royal London Journal of Medicine." Set against the backdrop of a volatile city on the brink of collapse, James navigates his grief while dealing with the pressures of his job and the challenges of raising his infant daughter. A darkly comedic and poignant novel that blends workplace satire with themes of grief, urban decay, and social unrest.
Childish Literature by Alejandro Zambra
A captivating collection of short stories, essays, and poems, Zambra reflects on fatherhood and the transformative power of having a child. Zambra explores the joys and challenges of parenthood with a fresh eye and a unique blend of humor, tenderness, and philosophical insight.
An ambitious young journalist takes on the task of investigating an assault on a Yorkshire farm during an illegal rave, where a man is bludgeoned with a gold bar. In a viral exposé, the journalist uncovers connections between various figures: a wealthy, morally questionable banker who owns the farm, a provocative newspaper columnist known for their controversial views, and a radical anarchist group who has taken up residence on the land. A sharp, satirical novel that dissects contemporary Britain, particularly its relationship with language, power, and truth.
Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte
Composed of fragments, vignettes, and reflections that circle around the core theme of rejection, Tulathimutte weaves together personal anecdotes (about romantic rejections, professional setbacks, and social exclusions) with broader discussions of societal and cultural rejections. He also explores themes of race, gender and otherness while inviting readers to consider their own experiences of rejection and to consider its broader societal implications.
Isaac, inexperienced in relationships, begins exploring his sexuality through dating apps, leading to a series of casual encounters, but his life takes a turn when he meets Harrison, an older man, at a party. However their relationship quickly becomes one of infatuation and manipulation. Isaac is a raw and honest portrayal of a young man's journey of self-discovery in the digital age, marked by the intensity of first love and the complexities of navigating desire and vulnerability in a relationship with unequal power dynamics.
