Five Essential New Books This Week: From Blitz Thrillers to Moving Memoirs
From the rain-slicked streets of a magical Blitz-era London to the frozen, forbidden heights of 19th-century Tibet, we have rounded up the season's most talked-about titles. Whether you are after a spine-tingling historical fantasy, a raw and moving memoir of survival, or a beautifully illustrated escape for the little ones, there is something hitting the shelves for every kind of reader.
This week, we dive into Francis Spufford's high-stakes thriller Nonesuch, witness a woman's journey through grief in Katya Balen's adult debut, and explore the harrowing, headline-grabbing resilience of Gisèle Pelicot. Grab a cuppa and settle in; here is your ultimate guide to the latest must-reads.
Nonesuch by Francis Spufford
Taking place in London during the chaos of the Blitz, Nonesuch centres on the spirited and driven Iris Hawkins, a young City employee who becomes tasked with preventing a glamorous, fascist socialite from wielding magic to alter history. When the strikingly attractive Lady Lalage Cunningham seeks to exploit time travel to deliver Britain to the Nazis, Iris must foil her plans whilst navigating air raids, archangels, and a budding romance.
Francis Spufford's brilliantly sharp and perceptive protagonist is accompanied by thoughtfully crafted fictional characters who seem just as authentic as those he draws from history. Whilst detailed scene-building leads to a slightly sluggish opening, Nonesuch transforms into a thrilling, fast-paced fusion of history and fantasy, alongside a moving depiction of the genuine consequences of the Blitz.
Compelling and beautifully complex, Nonesuch reaches a climax with a revelation that could alter everything for Iris, leaving readers eagerly anticipating its follow-up. Nonesuch by Francis Spufford is published in hardback by Faber & Faber and available from 26 February.
Our Numbered Bones by Katya Balen
Our Numbered Bones marks a daring debut adult novel from accomplished YA author Katya Balen, told through the eyes of a woman grappling with catastrophic loss. Anna finds herself overwhelmed by the demands of crafting a fresh novel whilst attempting to move forward from tragedy alongside her partner.
The book brims with writing that is simultaneously poetic and straightforward, seamlessly pulling the reader in and drawing them into the narrator's mindset. As her history unfolds gradually across the story, we accompany her through bereavement as she retreats from London to an isolated cottage beside wetlands.
Her accidental unearthing of an ancient burial site and a woman's remains in the marshes develops into a fixation, which eventually enables her to face her own narrative. The novel's self-examination is profound, and the alterations in prose style between sections might prove unsettling for some, but in the end it represents a striking and masterful depiction of a woman's bereavement, the turmoil it triggers and the course she charts towards recovery. Our Numbered Bones by Katya Balen is published in hardback by Canongate Books and available now.
The Last Of Earth by Deepa Anappara
Deepa Anappara's second novel charts the story of two outsiders embarking on the gruelling trek across Tibet during the mid-19th century – an era when foreigners were barred from entering the country. Katherine, a British explorer grappling with her mixed-race identity, dreams of becoming the first Western woman to witness Lhasa, Tibet's capital.
Meanwhile, Balram, an Indian schoolteacher hired by a British captain to survey the region, harbours a secret desire to rescue his missing friend from imprisonment. The storyline, which regrettably takes an inordinate amount of time to become engaging, switches between the two characters, whose paths do not really intersect so much as briefly overlap.
The overabundance of description throughout creates the impression of someone frantically trying to inflate the page count, whilst the conclusion seemingly aspires to be meaningful, yet lands rather limply. Cutting at least 50 pages would have resulted in a far more compelling narrative. The Last Of Earth by Deepa Anappara is published in hardback by Oneworld and available now.
A Hymn To Life by Gisèle Pelicot
The world is already familiar with the harrowing tale of Gisèle Pelicot. After more than four decades of marriage, she is summoned to a police station in 2020 alongside her then-husband Dominique, where she uncovers that he had been drugging and raping her, alongside others, throughout much of the preceding decade.
She became a feminist icon after waiving her anonymity, allowing the court proceedings and their shocking revelations to be scrutinised publicly. Her book chronicles the discovery, whilst also exploring their backgrounds; her and Dominique's family existence, the struggles they both endured financially, with their respective parents, and with one another.
It is apparent she is confused and quietly furious as events unfold, though the rage does not blaze across the pages. Rather, you sense the compassion and near-sympathy she holds for Dominique. Her care leads her to deliver clothing to the prison for him ahead of the trial. The portrayal of what followed Dominique's crimes being exposed is visceral as Gisèle and her children wrestle with the atrocities.
The memoir is quintessentially French. Her mother's passing, combined with Gisèle's health issues caused by the drugs—unbeknownst to her—means mortality and existentialism form a constant undercurrent. One of her legal representatives is even called Camus. The most astonishing aspect is how Gisèle has succeeded in rebuilding herself and, wonderfully, discovering love again. She characterises it as a hymn to life, though it stands as proof of resilience, both hers and humanity's. A Hymn To Life by Gisèle Pelicot is published in hardback by Bodley Head and available now.
The Big Journey by Michael Rosen and Daniel Egneus
Michael Rosen's follow-up to The Big Dreaming, The Big Journey chronicles Baby Bear's adventure as he leaves familiar surroundings behind, journeying across mountains, woodlands and snowy landscapes to reach a new home alongside Big Bear. My five year old was captivated by the straightforward narrative and its touching, uplifting themes about courage, seeking guidance and welcoming change – even when the path ahead remains uncertain.
The tale works brilliantly for younger listeners as well. As a delightful extra, it is visually stunning, featuring gorgeous artwork by award-winning illustrator Daniel Egneus showcasing creatures in their natural habitats. The Big Journey by Michael Rosen and Daniel Egneus is published in hardback by Bloomsbury Children's Books and available from 26 February.
