Staying in London, Rosie Price’s debut, What Red Was, follows the inseparable Kate and Max through their four years at university. Max’s wealthy, socially assured family are very different from Kate’s whose life is shattered by an incident in a bedroom during a party at Max’s parents’ London house just after graduation. ‘What Red Was explores the effects of trauma on mind and body, the tyrannies of memory, the sacrifices involved in staying silent, the courage of a young woman in speaking out’ say the publishers. Price’s novel has drawn comparisons with a broad swathe of authors, from David Nicholls to Meg Wolitzer, but I’m taking my cue from a couple of people whose opinions I trust in my Twitter feed where it was popping up for months before last year’s hardback publication.
Dominic Brownlow’s The Naseby Horses follows a family who’ve recently left the capital, moving to the Fens. Seventeen-year-old Simon is convinced that the local curse has something to do with his sister’s disappearance and becomes determined to investigate it himself despite the increasing severity of his 
I’m leaving the UK behind for the next two novels, beginning with a book by an author who’s become a favourite of mine: Hiromi Kawakami’s The Ten Loves of Mr Nishino. Mr Nishino makes his advances to all manner of women: young, old, independent, grieving, cat-loving or interested in making their own conquests – all are considered fair game. ‘For each of them, an encounter with elusive womaniser Mr Nishino will bring torments, desires and delights’ say the publishers. I’m hoping for some of the understated prose infused with a gentle humour that characterised both The Nakano Thrift Shop and Strange Weather in Tokyo the covers of which are nicely referenced by this one.
Last year was the centenary year of the Bauhaus school of design, the background for Theresia Enzensberger’s Blueprint which opens at the beginning of the 1920s. Luise dreams of becoming an architect, enrolling herself in the Bauhaus university where she’s taught by Walter Gropius and Wassily Kandinksy. While her art school friends immerse themselves in their work, street fights are breaking out in Berlin. ‘From technology to art, romanticism to the avant-garde, populism to the youth movement, Luise encounters themes, utopias and ideas that still shape us to the present day’ say the publishers. I loved Naomi Wood’s The Hiding Game which shares the Bauhaus theme setting the bar high for this one but that blurb makes me hopeful.
That’s it for August. As ever, a click on a title will either take you to my review or to a more detailed synopsis should you want to know more. If you’d like to catch up with the first paperback instalment, it’s here; new novels are here and here. How lovely to be previewing so many potential treats again.
Another interesting selection. As you say, it is a great comfort to feel the publishing industry gearing up again.
Isn’t it just, and a relief to them I’m sure.
Indeed. As with other aspects of life, it has been great to see publishers being so inventive with online sessions etc. The online book festivals and book launches seem to have been a worldwide revelation – I really hope this kind of approach can continue in some way alongside more traditional book events. Of course not everyone has the same online access but it is a boon for those who have difficulty getting to physical events.
I think you’re right, Liz. It would ease the burden on authors’ time, too. Not so much of it spent travelling when, I’m sure, most would rather be writing.
Yes absolutely!
I meant to read the Linda Grant when it came out in hardback but somehow it slipped past me. I must catch it this time! I also like the sound of Blueprint. Like you, I loved The Hiding Game and this would make an interesting companion piece.
The Grant was excellent, Ann, and – yes – fingers crossed for Blueprint.
I’ve read the hardback of Sweet Sorrow as a bit of light relief from some of the darker themes I’m drawn to. It reminded me of seeing David Nicholls at the Edinburgh Book Festival last summer and he was brilliant. How things have changed! Sad that my annual outing to the festival won’t take place.
I’ve already got What Red Was on my wish list but will also add The Ten Loves of Mr Nishino even although the list is getting ridiculously long!
He strikes me as the consummate commercial fiction writer. I see those lists as supporting the book trade!
I haven’t read Linda Grant before, though A Stranger City sounds very interesting. What Red Was also sounds intruiging but maybe the trauma aspects woukd be a bit much for me. I also really like the sound of The Naseby Horses. Another great selection.
Thanks, Ali. I can thoroughly recommend A Stranger City. One of Grant’s best.
I usually love Japanese literature, but I was a bit disappointed by this one: https://wordsandpeace.com/2020/02/27/book-review-the-ten-loves-of-nishino/
Oh, that’s a shame. I suspect I’ll read it anyway having enjoyed her others so much.
Out of those the Linda Grant appeals to me the most. Great to see your forthcoming lists getting longer!
Good choice, Cathy, and I couldn’t agree more about the list length!
I was disappointed by Mr Nishino too… One day I’ll get around to reading a Linda Grant book (I say that about so many authors! Ali Smith is another). I’d like to read the Nicholls.
I have a feeling it’s one of Kawakami’s earlier novels. At least, I’m prepared for disappointment now! I think you’d enjoy Linda Grant’s writing, Annabel.
Checked and it was written in 2003
I thought I’d read somewhere it was an early one. Thanks, Annabel. Expectations dialled down…
The Kawakami is the one that interests me the most, although I’m hoping it’s closer to Strange Weather than Thrift Shop. (The latter didn’t quite do it for me, I’m afraid.) Those covers are great, aren’t they? So stylish and appealing!
I’ve been primed for disappointment with the Kawakami but fingers crossed anyway. I love the way those two covers have been referenced by this one.
Thank you for the reminder of Sweet Sorrow – I LOVED One Day (it’s a book that I keep meaning to reread).
You’re welcome, Kate, and me too.