This autumn, readers can expect a wealth of fiction, including a wealth of new books from renowned authors. New novels from Sally Rooney, Ali Smith and Jonathan Coe are the focus of the season. Booker nominees Richard Powers and Rachel Kushner from the US are also in the mix, as well as a new adventure from Haruki Murakami and a thrilling feminist horror from Polish Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk. The coming months promise a treasure trove of literary delights, including Robert Harris’ political thriller Precipice, set in 1914, and a new novel by John le Carré, penned by his son Nick Harkaway.
With so much literary savoury to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. Kick off the season with an exclusive preview of Alan Hollinghurst’s Our Evenings, his first novel in seven years. Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle returns to his iconic character Paula Spencer in his new book The Women Behind the Door.
To help you navigate this jam-packed offering, here’s a preview of some standout novels. Award-winning authors and popular names mingle with fresh voices, including bestselling German author Fatma Aydemir, whose new novel Djinns has been translated into English. Whether you prefer morally complex dramas, surreal love stories, or satirical state-of-the-nation tales, there’s something for every reader this fall.
William Boyd’s latest spy novel, available from 5 September, promises gripping glamour. The story returns to his 1960s style and concerns a travel writer who, after a trip to the newly independent Congo, becomes embroiled in secret manoeuvres of the British state. Boyd’s lively storytelling makes for a gripping read as the protagonist travels through Europe under the guidance of the mysterious Faith Green.
Rachel Kushner’s new book, out September 5, is a clever spy novel with a dry sense of humor. Following the success of The Mars Room in 2018, Kushner’s latest novel centers on Sadie Smith, a witty, unreliable narrator investigating a group of eco-saboteurs in France.
Rumaan Alam’s new book, out September 17, abandons science fiction in favor of social drama. The story follows the dynamic between a black college graduate and a wealthy white philanthropist in New York, telling a slowly unfolding tale full of deceit and an intriguing finale.
Elizabeth Strout, whose new book is out September 19, continues to observe the intricacies of life. With beloved characters such as Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge returning, Strout’s narrative weaves the hopes and setbacks of a close-knit community with her own delicate touch.
Sally Rooney’s eagerly awaited fourth novel, out September 24, is her longest to date, exploring the grief and complexity of two brothers entangled with three women after the death of their father. With rich prose reminiscent of James Joyce, Rooney’s storytelling continues to evolve.
Olga Tokarczuk delivers a satirical take on Thomas Mann’s classic “The Magic Mountain” with a tale of revenge among male tuberculosis patients in the Silesian mountains. Her new work, out September 26, is stylistically closer to the thrilling narrative of her 2018 hit, “Drive your plow over the bones of the dead.”
Fatma Aydemir’s “Djinns,” available from October 22, offers a gripping family saga. The novel, translated into English for the first time, traces the life of a Turkish-Kurdish family finding their way in Germany after migrating.
Ali Smith’s new book, out October 31, promises serious jokes. The first in a two-part series, it describes a future in which technology and surveillance affect the lives of two siblings navigating a ruthless state.
In The Proof of My Innocence, out November 7, Jonathan Coe’s sharp satire examines the absurdities of modern Britain. Set around Liz Truss’s rise to Prime Minister, the narrative switches between a variety of literary styles, making the book a must-read.
Haruki Murakami’s latest novel, available from November 19, brings his trademark magical realism to a love story spun from the logic of dreams. The Uncertain City is about a man’s search for a lost love in a strange city in a parallel reality.
Other notable new releases include Tim Winton’s apocalyptic novel “Juice” and Tessa Hadley’s novella “The Party,” both coming out in October. If you like thrillers, Nick Harkaway’s “Karla’s Choice” and Richard Osman’s new series debut “We Solve Murders” are highly recommended.
For fans of translated fiction, there are some gems coming soon, including novels by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr and Michel Houellebecq. The horror genre features Eliza Clark’s “She’s Always Hungry” and Daisy Johnson’s “The Hotel.”
And finally, on October 17, “Duets” will be released, a unique collection in which established and emerging authors write stories together, offering a wonderful literary feast.
Source: The Guardian
