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1. The Sea the Sea by Iris Murdoch
Impossibly compelling, despite possessing one of the most extraordinary and in many
ways despicable central characters. Eccentric and wonderful, worth it for the food
descriptions alone.
1. What I loved by Siri Hustvedt.
As heartbreaking as it is gripping. For me, Hustvedt’s best novel, a classic ‘good read’ –
love, death and art in New York.
1. Dirt Music by Tim Winton
All the best Winton trademarks – damaged but painfully loveable characters, intense
evocation of the Australian landscape and culture, plus gripping plot.
1. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Restrained brilliance from Strout – she gently pulls you in from the first page. A pared-
down and beautiful depiction of a complex mother daughter relationship.
1. The Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami.
Murakami at his best – pure escapism via his distinctive brand of magic realism. Part
detective story, part science fiction fairytale, and of course the obligatory mysterious
cat.
1. Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarzuc
Totally bizarre. Dead people (possibly murdered by animals), dead animals too,
astrology, ecology, Blake and more. Charming and uncategorisable greatness from the
wonderful Fitzcarraldo Press.
1. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Utterly terrifying, in every possible way.
1. Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
Also utterly terrifying, but in a less ghostly way. A dark, murky, unsettling novel, with a
gloriously strange central character. At times grim, but also gripping and ultimately
surprising.
1. The Lesser Bohemians by Eimer Mc Bride
McBride’s use of language is miraculous in this book, she creates something so
claustrophobic and immersive I almost couldn’t bear to read on at points. The story,
of a young woman falling for an older man is nothing new, but the telling itself is
extraordinary.
1. The Secret History by Donna Tart
A sure fire winner – pure literary thriller enjoyment.