An extract from Tom Benn’s fourth novel Oxblood, published by Bloomsbury in April 2022 But that spring she was fourteen and would do anything. She would take off her knickers and gift them to him there if he asked her. She slipped out of the now to imagine this and her smile went, her […]
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Tunnel of Mirrors
An extract from Ferne Arfin’s debut novel, Tunnel of Mirrors, published by Green River Press in February 2022 “What is it like…when you’re married?” Ruth asked. Although eighteen months older than Rachel, she was just beginning to notice boys. “What is what like? You live with someone; you eat together; you sleep together. You […]
My Face in the Light
An excerpt from Martha Schabas’s new novel, My Face in the Light, published on April 12, 2022 by Knopf Canada The best liars are not cunning so much as they are delusional. They are able to lie convincingly because, in the moment of lying, they internalize their need to be believed. So they offer […]
Your Show
The first chapter of Your Show by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, published by Faber & Faber in April 2022 1997 It’s a double celebration tonight, not that many will care about your starring role. You carry the weight of the occasion on your shoulders, take it in your stride. You’ve worked hard to get here, earned […]
Metronome
The opening of Metronome, the debut novel by Tom Watson, published by Bloomsbury in hardback, ebook and audio on 31 March 2022 1 Sheep Aina stands at the sink, drying the dishes from lunch. It is a bright day, warm for March, and shadows of cloud dapple the headland. The back door is open. On […]
At The Table
An extract from At the Table, the debut novel from Claire Powell, published by Fleet on 31 March 2022 By five o clock it’s raining so heavily some of the software developers have actually removed their headphones and skulked over to the windows to gawk. ‘Good luck,’ someone says as Nicole heads out the […]
Peach Blossom Spring
An extract from Melissa Fu’s debut novel, Peach Blossom Spring, published by Wildfire on 17 March 2022. Origins Tell us, they say, tell us where you’re from. He is from walking and walking and walking. He is from shoes filled with holes, blistered toes and calloused heels that know the roughness of gravel roads […]
Sundial
The first chapter of Sundial by Catriona Ward, published by Viper in March 2022. Rob It’s the chickenpox that makes me sure – my husband is having another affair. I find the first blister on Annie the morning of the Goodwins’ party. She is in the bath and the window is a blue […]
Across The Water
An extract from Jack Byrne’s second novel, Across The Water, published by Northodox Press in March 2022 and available from the publisher here. Paddy Dublin May 17th, 1974 – 5.30 pm The train rattled and wobbled its way along the coast; Paddy looked at the sea. The ever-present sea, even inland, its waves […]
Raymond Antrobus and Joe Dunthorne in conversation
The UEA Literary Festival was founded in 1991 and this academic year we celebrate 30 years of live literature at the university. Now known as UEA Live, the Autumn 2020 season featured this event with Raymond Antrobus and Joe Dunthorne in conversation about poems, perseverance and creativity. Visit the UEA Live website here: https://www.uealive.com […]