Yvvette Edwards / Features / Untitled Books

"If you have any expectations of what this book may be like, put them down and prepare to be astonished. This is not a book of answers, but one that questions the basis and validity of religious belief, in razor-sharp, uber-cool, clean-cutting, style."

Yvvette Edwards

Yvvette Edwards' debut novel, A Cupboard Full of Coats, is on the Man Booker Prize 2011 longlist. She lives in East London.

Elizabeth Haynes: Into the Darkest Corner

This is a fabulously compelling read by a debut novelist, with no holds barred. Haynes has done a remarkable job of paring down her characters psychologically, from the psychotic ex-boyfriend, to her bold and sassy heroine, seeking to rebuild her life from a wasteland of paranoia, terror and OCD. Haynes uses differing timelines to tell both the main and the back-story, and she does it to great effect. Into the Darkest Corner is an intense read, not for the feint-hearted, but realistic, well crafted, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Rosamund Lupton: Afterwards

I was interested in seeing whether Lupton had done as successful a job with Afterwards as she managed with Sister. I'm happy to say that she exceeded my expectations. Afterwards is a deeply moving story, told with enormous compassion and humanity, lyrically written, filled with infinite beautiful observations on the mechanics of mothering and love. Somehow, in addition to all this, Lupton manages to throw in a convincing and surprising plot. Lupton is a writers' writer, and Afterwards is a wonderful book, brilliantly executed.

Tom Rob Smith: Agent 6

Child 44 made me an overnight fan of Tom Rob Smith. Agent 6, the third of his novels to feature former Secret Service agent Leo Demidov, is another success. I always thoroughly enjoy the historical context and setting of his novels, and this one took me over the Soviet borders, into Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the KGB ever in close pursuit. The plot moves forward at breakneck speed, with sufficient twists to keep you locked in for the duration of the ride. Sound characterisation, and Smith's attention to detail and nuance ensure another satisfying white-knuckle read.

James Frey: The Final Testament of the Holy Bible
A Million Little Pieces was outstanding. I was confident Frey could not top that, but The Final Testament of the Holy Bible does. A brilliant imagining of the second coming of the Messiah, and what a man he turns out to be. If you have any expectations of what this book may be like, put them down and prepare to be astonished. This is not a book of answers, but one that questions the basis and validity of religious belief, in razor-sharp, uber-cool, clean-cutting, style. A book that lingers long after the turning of the final page.

...............................................................................................................................................
A Cupboard Full of Coats by Yvvette Edwards is published by Oneworld Publications.
................................................................................................................................................

Monday, 5 September, 2011