The Melody

by Jim Crace Picador, 288pp, £16.99

Jim Crace has said this novel was inspired by a trip to Chennai, India, and the sight of shadowy creatures scavenging in rubbish bins. He says his stories spring from things that puzzle or trouble him, and he certainly gives the reader plenty to think about here, from the gulf between rich and poor to the “cleansing” of the natural environment. Alfred Busi is a retired singer, recently widowed, who lives in his family home on the outskirts of a coastal town. The story begins with Busi trying to identify noises in his dark garden. Later, he is attacked by a wild creature that he is sure is a child. This is a tale of loneliness, fear of change and the difficulties of ageing and waning celebrity. The story is beautifully written and fabulously lyrical.