A sort of book, I would have enjoyed even more if I read when I was 17.
“Kamchatka” by Marcelo Figueras
A story of a dissident family pursued by the Argentine junta through the eyes of a child. Poignant, funny, and brilliant. Translated by Frank Wynne. Thanks to Radio 4’s Bookclub for the tip.
“Expectations” by John Lanchester
Published in The New Yorker and is apparently a reduced version of his novel Capital. Sardonic, cruel, precise and hilarious.
“The Loved One” by Evelyn Waugh
I don’t remember how this book appeared on my shelf (I have a shabby, paperback Penguin edition), but I’m glad it did. Name puns, dark humour, direct references and wildly-caricatured characters don’t offer the subtle wit of “Brideshead”, but it probably made a great film.
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
The most extraordinary American novel I have ever read. I feel like I’ve read it twice already because I have tried to catch every last drop of the magic and beauty. The turns of phrase are often so stunning, it feels like it was written by a talented foreigner, like Nabokov. You could sing this novel to your children.