LATEST TITLES

IN EXTREMIS by Tim Park, Harvill Secker, £16.99 (ebook £9.99)

LINGUISTICS professor Thomas Saunders is on his way home to see his mum on her deathbed. The problem is, he just has so much else on his mind... a speech in Berlin, his girlfriend in Spain, not telling his family he left his wife two years ago and so much more. In Extremis is by turns funny, poignant and thoughtprovoking. Structured with subtle intricacy, superbly controlled, and emotionally intelligent, this is a book to love.

BIRDCAGE WALK by Helen Dunmore, Hutchinson, £18.99 (ebook £9.99)

WITH her vivid prose, Helen Dunmore is at home in any era. Her latest novel takes an oblique look at the French Revolution.

Lizzie, brought up among radicals, is married to sinister speculative builder whose plans are in tatters when uncertainty caused by the events in France cause the market to collapse. As Lizzie gradually realises the truth about her marriage, so her radical friends start to see the reality of violent revolution.

Birdcage Walk is a gripping read and has a very contemporary message about the consequences of political turmoil.

IN THE NAME OF THE FAMILY by Sarah Dunant, Virago, £16.99 (ebook £8.99).

IT’S 1502 and Niccolo Machiavelli is called to one of the most exciting diplomatic tasks of his career. Sarah Dunant vividly brings alive these encounters, which go on to be major influences on his treatise, The Prince.

However, this historical novel is mainly the tale of the extraordinary Borgia family. Pope Alexander, and his children, Cesare, the cruel but brilliant military commander son and sister Lucrezia. The story takes us through their audacious power grab.

Dunant takes the historical ledger and blends great narrative with the main actors in this period to create an immersive read of Renaissance Italy.