BOOKS OF THE WEEK
The Ghost Theatre by Mat Osman Bloomsbury, £16.99 (ebook £11.89) Review by Scarlett Sangster
Hauntingly beautiful, Mat Osman’s The Ghost Theatre is a unique blend of history and fantasy, set against the backdrop of Elizabethan London. The story follows Shay, a messenger-girl and hawk trainer who sees the future in the patterns of birds, and Nonesuch, the dark star of the city’s child theatre scene. Drawn together by their shared love of art, they create The Ghost Theatre, an underground troupe that performs fantastical plays in the city’s hidden corners. Osman’s evocative prose brings Elizabethan London to life, creating a world that is both familiar and completely new. Thrilling and thought-provoking, Osman’s creation will leave readers pondering its mysteries long after the final page.
The Story Of The Forest by Linda Grant Virago, £18.99 (ebook £11.49) Review by Sue Barraclough
With her books previously shortlisted for both the Booker and Women’s Prizes, Linda Grant is most comfortable writing period novels – and The Story Of The Forest, set in 1913, is no different. The story begins in Latvia with Mina’s revelatory walk in the forest to collect mushrooms, and follows her escape from an overbearing father – with the help of her older brother – to the city of Liverpool, in a bid to reach New York, but then on to London. The novel has a lightness of touch, and the tale is told with humour and sensitivity. Mina is central to the family saga, and Grant’s own Eastern European roots in a culture with few written records and a strong tradition of storytelling, informs the narrative.
August Blue by Deborah Levy Hamish Hamilton, £18.99 (ebook £9.99) Review by Hannah Colby
Elsa M Anderson, a famous pianist who walked out of a concert in Vienna, witnesses a mysterious woman buying mechanical horses in a flea market. From this moment, Deborah Levy takes us on a journey of discovery and introspection, as Elsa attempts to discover the truth behind her identity. Set against a post-pandemic backdrop, where the world is struggling to emerge from years of suppression and control, Elsa is forced to brutally prise open the shell of her restricted and disciplined upbringing in order to set herself free.. Levy’s lyrical, pitch-perfect prose is an exploration of our reasons for living, the forces that drive us and the inner music that controls the rhythms of our dance through life and love.
I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was by Ruby Wax Penguin Life, £18.99 (ebook £9.99) Review by Molly Powell
There is no one as witty, inspiring and frank as Ruby Wax when it comes to mental health – this book provides a brutally honest and thoughtful insight into Wax’s journey, including conversations with therapists and the highs and lows of fame. Despite being written by someone in the spotlight, the book is surprisingly relatable to anyone who has had mental health difficulties. Wax combines anecdotes about her time in a mental institution with her incredible celebrity adventures without it feeling disjointed. It feels as though Wax is now ready to start a new, more mindful chapter of her life, and the sense of closure is cathartic, encouraging readers to do the same.