For The Guardian This is a tricky novel to review. I’m not even sure it is a novel. And I’m not certain as to whether its fragmentary nature belies an organic structure of astutely sewn intention or is merely a disingenuous
Written for Intelligent Life Magazine: Philip Roth turned 80 in March and announced his retirement after 31 books. He is going out on a high. He has more prizes than most novelists have procrastination tricks—36, including the Pulitzer. Half the
Written for The Guardian: Could this be the most prescient satirical commentary on the early internet age yet? In a recent essay published in these pages, Jonathan Franzen inveighed against what he sees as the glibness and superficiality of the new online
For The Guardian: This tale of a taxi driver’s nocturnal meanderings shows lyricism, compassion and great human spirit I enjoyed this book in so many ways that it is tempting to urge you to eschew any further reading and download
For The Guardian Neil Gaiman is at his best when he abandons his trademark fantasy for stark realism This is Gaiman’s first adult novel since Anansi Boys in 2005 and his millions of fans will be mad for it. It tells the story
Written for The Guardian: I began this book reluctantly – I was deep into Hilary Mantel’s Bring Up the Bodies, which is pretty much the exact opposite – but by the end I wanted to hand out copies to
For The Guardian Before we get into this I should probably say that it’s my belief that Philip Roth, now 77, can write whatever the hell he likes. After more than 50 years working at the highest level, after having
For The Guardian. This review was written before the novel won the Man Booker Prize. Flaubert once wrote to Turgenev: “Never have things of the spirit counted for so little. Never has hatred for everything great been so manifest
Written for The Guardian: Paul Auster is a writer with many skills: a disarming directness of style, a subtle ability to render subtle psychology, a connoisseur’s feel for the novel form – its limits and its play – and much