THIS WAY TO DEPARTURES | BOOK REVIEW
THIS WAY TO DEPARTURES: STORIES Linda Mannheim (Influx) This story collection confronts the bleak realities of our urban milieu by stripping the world of its glossy veneer. Mannheim’s stories concern …
Books
Whether it's paperback, hardback or audio, we’ve got it covered when it comes to all the best new writers, authors and book releases.
BOSH! BOYS | PROFILE
BOSH! BOYS As the vegan revolution gathers pace, The Bosh! boys, or Henry Firth and Ian Theasby to their mums, chat to Carl Marsh about plant-based progress. What do you …
IT WOULD BE NIGHT IN CARACAS | BOOK REVIEW
It Would Be Night In Caracas Karina Sainz Borgo, trans. Elizabeth Bryer (HarperVia) The devastating impact of revolution, and the destruction of a country and its inhabitants, is explored in …
THE IMAGINARY LIVES OF JAMES PŌNEKE | BOOK REVIEW
The Imaginary Lives Of James Pōneke Tina Makereti (Eye) Already a well-published and accomplished author in her native New Zealand, The Imaginary Lives Of James Pōneke is Tina Makereti’s fourth …
PLAYBOY | BOOK REVIEW
Playboy Joe Thomas (Arcadia) The third book as part of a quartet, this is another thrilling journey into the criminal world of São Paulo. As national protests take place over …
SHADOW ON THE LENS | BOOK REVIEW
A Shadow on the Lens Sam Hurcom (Orion) This book would be epic if I didn’t know any of the locations, but as a Cardiffian my familiarity with the places …
THE BLUE TENT | BOOK REVIEW
The Blue Tent Richard Gwyn (Parthian) The Blue Tent is Wales Book Of The Year-winning author Richard Gwyn’s latest novella, and it is dream-like, bizarre and mesmerising. The first-person narrator, …
THE HOMELESS HEART-THROB | BOOK REVIEW
The Homeless Heart -Throb Crystal Jeans (Honno) This, Crystal Jeans’ third book – feels like a novel to me, but could be classified as a collection of short stories; indeed, …
ELASTIC | BOOKS
Elastic Johanne Bille, trans. Sherilyn Hellberg (Lolli Editions) This tone of this Danish novel is set from the very first page, quickly capturing the open-minded reader with images that raise …
THEN SHE VANISHES | BOOK REVIEW
Then She Vanishes Claire Douglas (Penguin) One quiet March morning, the peaceful seaside town of Tilby near Bristol is ripped apart by the double murder of a seemingly harmless man …
LITTLE ZINNOBERS | BOOK REVIEW
Little Zinnobers Elena Chizhova, trans. Carol Ermakova (Glagoslav) In Little Zinnobers, Elena Chizhova has written a touching, acutely funny study of a Khruschev-era schoolroom, and a delicate psychological portrait of …
VIVIAN | BOOK REVIEW
VIVIAN Christina Hesselholdt, trans. Paul Russell Garrett (Fitzcarraldo Editions) Vivian Maier lived and died in relative obscurity, working as a nanny for middle-class families in Chicago and New York, with …
THE SLEEPWALKER | BOOK REVIEW
THE SLEEPWALKER Joseph Know (Doubleday) The Sleepwalker is the third DC Aiden Waits novel by Joseph Knox, and once again, he trawls the mean streets of 21st century Manchester, where …
SELFIES | BOOK REVIEW
SELFIES Sylvie Weil, trans. Ros Schwartz (Les Fugitives) Originally published in French in 2015, Sylvie Weil’s much acclaimed collection of art-inspired personal essays, Selfies, has finally been translated into English, …
BRANDO’S BRIDE | BOOK REVIEW
BRANDO’S BRIDE Sarah Broughton (Parthian Books) Brando’s Bride is the evocatively-titled story of Anna Kashfi, who came from Cardiff and was the little-known first wife of famed Hollywood actor Marlon Brando. …
GRINGA | BOOK REVIEW
GRINGA Joe Thomas (Arcadia Books) Following predecessor title Paradise Lost, Gringa – the second book in Thomas’ São Paulo quartet – follows protagonist Mario Leme, a detective in the civil police …
A SUPERIOR SPECTRE | BOOK REVIEW
A SUPERIOR SPECTRE Angela Meyer (Saraband) A Superior Spectre may be Angela Meyer’s first offering, but it’s two entwined stories: one a historical drama, and the other a dystopian sci-fi in …
A RIGHT ROYAL FACE-OFF | BOOK REVIEW
A RIGHT ROYAL FACE-OFF Simon Edge (Lightning Books) With a glance at this scrapbook-style cover, you might feel apprehension towards A Right Royal Face-Off. Maybe even a bit of pretention. …
SARAH BROUGHTON: BRANDO’S BRIDE | INTERVIEW
Drama, drugs, and decadence colour the story of Cardiff-born Anna Kashfi. For a long time dismissed as simply the first wife of Marlon Brando, this is being reversed by author …
THE TORTURE GARDEN | BOOK REVIEW
THE TORTURE GARDEN Octave Mirbeau, trans. Michael Richardson (Dedalus) Originally published in 1899, writer and political activist Octave Mirbeau’s avant-garde classic is both a savage takedown of the bourgeoisie and …
THE WHISPER MAN | BOOK REVIEW
THE WHISPER MAN Alex North (Michael Joseph/Penguin) The pre-publicity for this one is huge: it’s been sold in 18 countries already, with the film rights also snapped up by Russo …
THE GOVERNESSES | BOOK REVIEW
THE GOVERNESSES Anne Serre, trans. Mark …
THE CLOTHESLINE SWING | BOOK REVIEW
THE CLOTHESLINE SWING Ahmad Danny Ramadan (The Indigo Press) …
SURRENDER | BOOK REVIEW
SURRENDER Joanna Pocock (Fitzcarraldo Editions) Any point until the …