The Hypocrite: A Novel

"Thank you, yes. This one jumped out at me: it centres on the relationship between a noted novelist and his playwright daughter, as she presents a new drama written by her about the period they spent together in Sicily a decade earlier. “I had a clear image suddenly of a man in a theatre, watching a play of his life,” says Hamya of the sudden burst of inspiration that became this book, “and I knew that he would disagree with everything that was happening on stage, but he couldn’t leave. I thought about it for hours that night because it was a really interesting formal challenge. Could I write something where both parties were wrong and they were both utterly sympathetic, but the reader would still—especially if they spend time on the internet—feel conscious of wanting to take sides?” It is, essentially, an extended study of ethical grey areas and the manner by which the sense of moral correctness shifts from generation to generation. The Hypocrite, says the i , “confirms [Hamya] as a fine chronicler of modern anxieties. I have rarely underlined so many passages in a book.” Sounds good to me. I think we could all do with a little less moral certainty in life. If you’re at all interested in sci-fi, you’ll certainly want to know about the collaboration between China Miéville and the Hollywood star (and graphic novelist!) Keanu Reeves. Their first novel together, The Book of Elsewhere , is based on Reeves’ popular BRZRKR series. Hot on the heels of the hit Netflix adaptation of his high-concept romance One Day , David Nicholls recently released You Are Here , a witty and tender love story about two jaded divorcees hiking across the north of England. Kevin Barry ( Night Boat to Tangier ) will publish The Heart in Winter , a historical novel set in 1890s Montana; two-time Booker finalist Chigozie Obioma will publish a mystical Biafran war novel, The Road to the Country ; and the fantasy author and previous Five Books interviewee Lev Grossman will publish The Bright Sword , a highly anticipated follow-up to his The Magicians trilogy. What new novels are you looking forward to reading in summer 2024? Let us know: get in touch via social media."