Review of THE KING'S SHADOW in The Financial Times

There's something especially thrilling about being reviewed in The Financial Times - the lovely pink broadsheet, the quiet seriousness of the paper. So I was delighted to see a review of THE KING'S SHADOW in last weekend's paper, which you can read online here.

The picture on the left was taken at the department store, Manns of Cranleigh, where my books have their own display - do go and check them out.

Wild Abandon by Joe Dunthorne: review

Dunthorne: Talented

I've reviewed Joe Dunthorne's Wild Abandon for The Financial Times. I think Dunthorne has got a lot to offer us, but see what I think of his new book HERE. (It's the FT so you have to be registered.)

• I reviewed the dreamy film of his novel Submarine here, too

• And I thought his rather brilliant debut poetry pamphlet was one of the books of the year in 2010

The London Train by Tessa Hadley: review

And the most splendiferous of New New Years to you all! For the Romans, 'novus' meant 'strange', as everything new was by definition strange; interesting that we've lost that sense of it. Anyway, here is a link to my review of Tessa Hadley's exquisite novel, The London Train, on the Financial Times website: click HERE

I'm Late, I'm Late... Christian Marclay's The Clock at The White Cube

I'm actually never late, at least on purpose. Last night, after a party for Help the Heroes at the Cobden Club (lots of soldiers, and Princess Beatrice), we piled into a taxi and headed to the White Cube Gallery in Mason's Yard. It was all but empty: we got there at 3 am to watch The Clock, an installation by Christian Marclay which is a twenty four hour video. We sat on white sofas and watched the film unfold: it runs in real time, and is made up of excerpts from other films. The effect is hypnotic; even though the time is shown all the, er, time, one doesn't notice it passing because one is so thoroughly drawn into each narrative. And they only last three or four seconds. They flow and segue into each other, blending and fading and echoing each other: sometimes voices from one film will bleed into another scene. At 3am we saw nightmare, insomnia, sex, robbery, desperation, fear and even peace. It was incredibly beautiful and awesomely involving. I am going back, now. If you don't see me for a while, that's where I'll be.... I wonder if anyone has watched it all the way through? It only runs till Saturday, though, so hurry if you want to go...

It also made me think about The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. 'I'm late, I'm late...' he cries... Late for what? Is he permanently catching up, or is he heading towards his death? Who knows. It reminds me rather of 'Werner Herzog reads Curious George.'

Luka and the Fire of Life by Salman Rushdie: review

Here is a link to my review in the Financial Times of Salman Rushdie's new children's book, Luka and the Fire of Life. I think it fails on almost every level as a children's book. Click HERE

Farundell by L R Fredericks: review

Farundell by L R Fredericks is a debut novel which pulls no punches. I've reviewed it for the Financial Times: click HERE for the link.

The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon: review

...and also a link to my review in the Financial Times of Annabel Lyon's debut novel about Alexander the Great, The Golden Mean, told through the eyes of Aristotle.

CLICK HERE

Financial Times Summer Reading

I was immeasurably pleased to discover that The Liberators has been chosen as one of the Financial Times's summer reading picks, along with Celia Rees's The Fool's Girl and Chris Riddell's new series, Wyrmeweald. There is something so satisfying about the FT - its classic lines and formal layout are a joy to behold and read. I would, of course, much prefer my readers to gaze upon an actual physical copy of the paper - but if that is impossible, here is a link to the website, for which one must register.

CLICK HERE