November 2024 books

What’s new and good to read this month? Dan Coombes has a look at what’s on offer from publishers in November and chooses The Proof of my Innocence by Jonathan Coe, Fire by John Boyne and Bombshell by Alison Hammond.

The Proof of my Innocence – Jonathan Coe

Sometimes satirising modern British politics – especially during Lizz Truss’ stint as Prime Minister – might seem a bit like shooting fish in a barrel, but while he’s sharp, wickedly funny and pretty much hits every target perfectly, Johnathan Coe’s sharp and very funny look at our recent times is more light hearted and nuanced than you might think. Genre-hopping, conspiracy-thrilling goodness that goes in a few directions you might not expect, all made a joy to read by Mr. Coe’s uniquely magnificent writing.

Post-university life doesn’t suit Phyl. Time passes slowly living back home with her parents, working a zero-hour contract serving Japanese food to holidaymakers at Heathrow’s Terminal 5. As for her budding plans of becoming a writer, those are going nowhere. That is, until family friend Chris comes to stay. He’s been on the path to uncover a sinister think-tank, founded at Cambridge University in the 1980s, that’s been scheming to push the British government in a more extreme direction.

One that’s finally poised to put their plans into action. But speaking truth to power can be dangerous – and power will stop at nothing to stay on top. As Britain finds itself under the leadership of a new Prime Minister whose tenure will only last for seven weeks, Chris pursues his story to a conference being held deep in the Cotswolds, where events take a sinister turn and a murder enquiry is soon in progress. But will the solution to the mystery lie in contemporary politics, or in a literary enigma that is almost forty years old?

Images: The Proof of my Innocence front cover, Author Jonathan Coe

Fire – John Boyne

If you prefer your insights into humanity more personal, psychological and much more disturbing, the latest in John Boyne’s Earth series of novellas (they’re kind of linked, but you can read each one as a standalone. The others are definitely worth your time too though) – might be more your cup of tea. Light-hearted this isn’t, creepy and occasionally quite horrid it most definitely is, but it’s compelling and unforgettable, dissecting what makes a monster monstrous in the first place, and cheerfully making us uncomfortable with what it holds up to the light along the way.

A challenging and visceral narrative that asks the question: can one cataclysmic moment turn someone into a monster? On the face of it, Freya lives a gilded existence. She has all the trappings of wealth and privilege, a responsible job as a surgeon specialising in skin grafts, a beautiful flat in a sought-after development, and a flash car.

But it wasn’t always like this. Hers is a life founded on darkness. Did what happened to Freya as a child one fateful summer influence the adult she would become – or was she always destined to be that person? Was she born with cruelty in her heart or did something force it into being?

Images: Fire front cover, Author John Boyne

Bombshell – Alison Hammond

Here’s a bit of a u-turn, cheeriness wise. Encroaching festive times can’t be all about gazing into the abyss after all. Alison Hammond off the telly writing a romcom about a strong woman finding her worth pretty much recommends itself really – you pretty much know what you’re going to get and it involves words like ‘heartwarming’, ‘feelgood’ and in the least critical way possible, ‘comfortingly fluffy’, and I’m reliably informed that’s what we all need a bit of here and there.

 Family has always meant everything to Madison. Married to the nation’s heartthrob, TV handyman Rich, with two beautiful children, she’s always put their needs first. She’s never regretted a second, even if her own career has taken a backseat. Then, out of the blue, Rich drops a bombshell. He needs some space and he’s moving out.Overwhelmed by this revelation, Madison turns to her tight-knit group of friends for help.

But when their support isn’t enough, Madison resolves to find out what’s really going on. Even if it means turning detective on her own husband. And with her own interior-design career about to take off (once her manager stops squashing her bold ideas for his terrible ones, and provided she doesn’t get distracted by the new guy in the office), Madison’s about to rediscover her own worth. She’s a bombshell, after all…

With her trademark wit and warmth, Alison Hammond delivers hilarious hijinks and heart-warming romance in this sparkling new romcom.

Images: Bombshell front cover, Author Alison Hammond