Difference between revisions of "Top Ten Literary Fiction Books of 2013"
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It's been a good year for literary fiction and we've chosen our favourites. We've not included books which have appeared on major prize long lists and shortlists as we suspect that you already know about them. If you don't then you might like to have a look at this year's [[Man Booker Prize 2013|Man Booker Prize]]. | It's been a good year for literary fiction and we've chosen our favourites. We've not included books which have appeared on major prize long lists and shortlists as we suspect that you already know about them. If you don't then you might like to have a look at this year's [[Man Booker Prize 2013|Man Booker Prize]]. | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Kate Atkinson | |author=Kate Atkinson | ||
|title=Life After Life | |title=Life After Life | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= One of those rare times when a book with a strong literary style is also highly readable. Spanning 1910 to 1967 the book explores the small changes that potentially change the outcomes for the Todd family and particularly Ursula Todd who both dies before she is born and who goes on to live several remarkable outcomes. Innovative, profound but compulsively readable, this is a quite remarkable book. | |summary= One of those rare times when a book with a strong literary style is also highly readable. Spanning 1910 to 1967 the book explores the small changes that potentially change the outcomes for the Todd family and particularly Ursula Todd who both dies before she is born and who goes on to live several remarkable outcomes. Innovative, profound but compulsively readable, this is a quite remarkable book. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0385618670 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Leonid Borodin | |author=Leonid Borodin | ||
|title=The Year of Miracle and Grief | |title=The Year of Miracle and Grief | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= A twelve-year-old newcomer to the shores of Lake Baikal explores the notorious Dead Man's Crag and there discovers the secret of the mountain that looks like a ruined castle. A magical tale of hurt and love laced with the remote wonder of Siberia. | |summary= A twelve-year-old newcomer to the shores of Lake Baikal explores the notorious Dead Man's Crag and there discovers the secret of the mountain that looks like a ruined castle. A magical tale of hurt and love laced with the remote wonder of Siberia. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0704373246 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Linda Cracknell | |author=Linda Cracknell | ||
|title=Call of the Undertow | |title=Call of the Undertow | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= Tragedy drives cartographer Maggie Thame to seek solace in the remotest place in Britain, the far northern coasts of Scotland. There an unexpected friendship with an odd local child changes both of their lives. Beautiful, haunting and highly recommended. | |summary= Tragedy drives cartographer Maggie Thame to seek solace in the remotest place in Britain, the far northern coasts of Scotland. There an unexpected friendship with an odd local child changes both of their lives. Beautiful, haunting and highly recommended. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1908754303 |
}} | }} | ||
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|author=Therese Anne Fowler | |author=Therese Anne Fowler | ||
|title=Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald | |title=Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= Narrated by Fowler's imagined voice of Zelda Fitzgerald, this is both a balanced view of events and a touching and ultimately tragic love story of Zelda and her husband, F Scott Fitzgerald. Like much of their life, reality played like an F Scott Fitzgerald novel - full of glamour, alcohol and bad behaviour. | |summary= Narrated by Fowler's imagined voice of Zelda Fitzgerald, this is both a balanced view of events and a touching and ultimately tragic love story of Zelda and her husband, F Scott Fitzgerald. Like much of their life, reality played like an F Scott Fitzgerald novel - full of glamour, alcohol and bad behaviour. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1444761404 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Anouk Markovits | |author=Anouk Markovits | ||
|title=I Am Forbidden | |title=I Am Forbidden | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= A novel tracing a Hassidic Jewish family across Europe between 1939 and 2012, demanding to be read. The New Yorker says ''Stunning'' while we're just stunned. | |summary= A novel tracing a Hassidic Jewish family across Europe between 1939 and 2012, demanding to be read. The New Yorker says ''Stunning'' while we're just stunned. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=Markovits_Forbidden |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Ayana Mathis | |author=Ayana Mathis | ||
|title=The Twelve Tribes of Hattie | |title=The Twelve Tribes of Hattie | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= A rich, beautiful, heart-wrenching debut novel spanning 60 years and a family of individuals struggling against odds and upbringing. It blew us away and left us wishing that Hattie had even more children so we could stay with them longer. | |summary= A rich, beautiful, heart-wrenching debut novel spanning 60 years and a family of individuals struggling against odds and upbringing. It blew us away and left us wishing that Hattie had even more children so we could stay with them longer. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=009194418X |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Maggie O'Farrell | |author=Maggie O'Farrell | ||
|title=Instructions for a Heatwave | |title=Instructions for a Heatwave | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= Exquisite writing, perfect evocation of place, characters you ''know'' and a great story. What more can you ask? Highly recommended. | |summary= Exquisite writing, perfect evocation of place, characters you ''know'' and a great story. What more can you ask? Highly recommended. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0755358783 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Emily Perkins | |author=Emily Perkins | ||
|title=The Forrests | |title=The Forrests | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= A beautiful, subtle but addictive study of a family through the lifetime of one of its members. A novel that will surreptitiously grab you till it's over and even then you may spend a while afterwards in its thrall. | |summary= A beautiful, subtle but addictive study of a family through the lifetime of one of its members. A novel that will surreptitiously grab you till it's over and even then you may spend a while afterwards in its thrall. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=140883149X |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Suzanne Rindell | |author=Suzanne Rindell | ||
|title=The Other Typist | |title=The Other Typist | ||
| Line 81: | Line 81: | ||
|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary=A stunning historical novel. Outstanding, a definite recommendation for all, particularly those with an interest in the Jazz Age. | |summary=A stunning historical novel. Outstanding, a definite recommendation for all, particularly those with an interest in the Jazz Age. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0241963745 |
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Roland Watson-Grant | |author=Roland Watson-Grant | ||
|title=Sketcher | |title=Sketcher | ||
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|genre=Literary Fiction | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
|summary= A wonderful book based around the Louisiana swamps for all those who never thought they'd read a wonderful book based around the Louisiana swamps. Touching, funny, simply told and yet deceptively deep, although we may not want them living next door, the Beaumonts are a family from whom we'd like to hear more. | |summary= A wonderful book based around the Louisiana swamps for all those who never thought they'd read a wonderful book based around the Louisiana swamps. Touching, funny, simply told and yet deceptively deep, although we may not want them living next door, the Beaumonts are a family from whom we'd like to hear more. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1846882427 |
}} | }} | ||
Latest revision as of 10:19, 3 February 2024
It's been a good year for literary fiction and we've chosen our favourites. We've not included books which have appeared on major prize long lists and shortlists as we suspect that you already know about them. If you don't then you might like to have a look at this year's Man Booker Prize.
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Review ofLife After Life by Kate AtkinsonOne of those rare times when a book with a strong literary style is also highly readable. Spanning 1910 to 1967 the book explores the small changes that potentially change the outcomes for the Todd family and particularly Ursula Todd who both dies before she is born and who goes on to live several remarkable outcomes. Innovative, profound but compulsively readable, this is a quite remarkable book. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Year of Miracle and Grief by Leonid BorodinA twelve-year-old newcomer to the shores of Lake Baikal explores the notorious Dead Man's Crag and there discovers the secret of the mountain that looks like a ruined castle. A magical tale of hurt and love laced with the remote wonder of Siberia. Full Review |
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|
Review ofCall of the Undertow by Linda CracknellTragedy drives cartographer Maggie Thame to seek solace in the remotest place in Britain, the far northern coasts of Scotland. There an unexpected friendship with an odd local child changes both of their lives. Beautiful, haunting and highly recommended. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofZ: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne FowlerNarrated by Fowler's imagined voice of Zelda Fitzgerald, this is both a balanced view of events and a touching and ultimately tragic love story of Zelda and her husband, F Scott Fitzgerald. Like much of their life, reality played like an F Scott Fitzgerald novel - full of glamour, alcohol and bad behaviour. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofI Am Forbidden by Anouk MarkovitsA novel tracing a Hassidic Jewish family across Europe between 1939 and 2012, demanding to be read. The New Yorker says Stunning while we're just stunned. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana MathisA rich, beautiful, heart-wrenching debut novel spanning 60 years and a family of individuals struggling against odds and upbringing. It blew us away and left us wishing that Hattie had even more children so we could stay with them longer. Full Review |
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|
Review ofInstructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'FarrellExquisite writing, perfect evocation of place, characters you know and a great story. What more can you ask? Highly recommended. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Forrests by Emily PerkinsA beautiful, subtle but addictive study of a family through the lifetime of one of its members. A novel that will surreptitiously grab you till it's over and even then you may spend a while afterwards in its thrall. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Other Typist by Suzanne RindellA stunning historical novel. Outstanding, a definite recommendation for all, particularly those with an interest in the Jazz Age. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofSketcher by Roland Watson-GrantA wonderful book based around the Louisiana swamps for all those who never thought they'd read a wonderful book based around the Louisiana swamps. Touching, funny, simply told and yet deceptively deep, although we may not want them living next door, the Beaumonts are a family from whom we'd like to hear more. Full Review |
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