I very much enjoyed Seth Greenland’s I Regret Everything a few years back so have hopes for The Hazards of Good Fortune. Set during the Obama presidency, it’s about a wealthy philanthropist who tries to lead a moral life but finds himself entangled in a prosecution which will have dramatic consequences in terms of race and privilege. ‘At times shocking, but always recognizable, this captivating tale explores the aftermath of unforgivable errors and the unpredictability of the court of public opinion. With a brilliant eye for character, Greenland creates a story that mixes biting humor with uncomfortable truth’ say the publishers.
I’ve never got around to reading Sergio de la Pava’s A Naked Singularity, daunted by its door-
Cherise Wolas’ The Family Tabor sounds a little more straightforward. Harry Tabor is about to be honoured as Man of the Decade in recognition of his work with the many Jewish refugees he’s helped to settle in America. Years ago, Harry uprooted his own family taking them across the States from Connecticut to the South West. ‘Wolas examines the five members of the Tabor family as they prepare to celebrate Harry. Through each of their points of view, we see family members whose lives are built on lies, both to themselves and to others, and how these all come crashing down during a seventy-two-hour period’ according to the blurb which sounds highly entertaining.
J M Holmes’ How Are You Going to Save Yourself is about four young men who’ve grown up together but have drifted apart in adulthood as they try to cope with society’s expectations, family pressures and their own self-images. Described as ‘both humorous and heart-breaking’ it’s ‘a timely debut about sex, race, family and friendship’, apparently which sounds good to me.
That’s it for August’s new novels. A click on any that have caught your eye will take you to a more detailed synopsis, and If you’d like to catch up with the first instalment it’s here. Paperbacks shortly…
I’ve got copies of Lost Empress and Washington Black – very excited for both!
I have Lost Empress but not Washington Black whose blurb reminds me a little bit of Jane Harris’s Sugar Money. The Seth Greenaland is shaping up nicely.
Excited to hear that there’s a new Esi Edugyan coming out next month, as I enjoyed Half Blood Blues so much, and I like that cover, too. The kind of cover that might make me buy the book if I saw it, without knowing anything else about the book. Although it does sound interesting in this case!
Isn’t it great? I know some readers think that a jacket is a trivial thing but if publishers get it right it can make a huge difference to how well the book does for the author.
I really like it. I think covers are important, especially when there are so many books competing for our attention, and think there’s been a real renaissance in them to combat the rise of ebooks, too. Designers are truly creating cover art… I see the Edugyan just made the Booker longlist but isn’t out until the end of August! Hope they move up publication.
Agrred on both counts! Fingers crossed…
Anna Quindlen is a publishing machine – I’ve only read one of her books (which I enjoyed) but it seems she releases a book every year!
I’ve read four or five of hers but I hadn’t noticed that she was so prolific. I’ll have to mine her backlist!
I’m eagerly anticipating Washington Black! I really enjoyed Half Blood Blues and the blurb for this sounds interesting. Agree the jacket is gorgeous too 🙂
I’m always delighted when publishers go to great lengths with a jacket. So important in helping a book do well.