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“... Andrew Martin​ ’s Early Work functions simultaneously as a celebratory autofiction about literary life in the United States and an indictment of the generation that populates it. ‘Most of the people I associated with considered themselves exceptional,’ says Pete, the protagonist, and we may take this to mean above average or, simply, those to whom normal rules don’t apply: ‘So you work from, uh, home?’ ‘Yeah, I’m a bum,’ she said ...”

“... Alfred Busi​ , the protagonist of Jim Crace’s new novel, is a songwriter with an enchanting and consoling voice, so celebrated in his home city that, when the book opens, he is about to be immortalised in bronze on its Avenue of Fame. This city, the narrator tartly informs us, is too fond of awarding medals: It was the lazy habit of the town and had been for several hundred years to hand out these decorations – to men, that is – for anything achieved, no matter how minor or mean – for the completion of a building project, say, or for life-long service with a restaurant, or a golden wedding anniversary ...”

“... H ave​ Danny Tommo (aka Daniel Thomas) and his followers in Patriot Platform read Luke Kennard’s new novel, which has just been shortlisted for the Booker Prize? Even the dust jacket might be enough to persuade a Stop the Boats protester that covering yourself head-to-ankle in a black bag is an advance on black balaclavas and Mosleyite black shirts ...”