HANGOVER SQUARE by Patrick Hamilton (Abacus £8.99)

ExtrEmEly dark comedy enthrals in this unforgettable visit to london’s fog- bound, seedy Earl’s Court circa 1939.

For George — single, hopeless — life is one long pub- crawl, hanging out with a bunch of scrounging boozers in a ‘ sad circle of hell’.

His is a world of bedsits, sleazy boarding houses, pub bores and an unrequited infatuation for the ghastly, wannabe actress Netta. Glamorous, manipulative, gin- swilling Netta despises George, yet takes advantage of his dog-like devotion.

Privately, George suffers from mental blackouts when his thoughts towards Netta turn murderous. your heart goes out to the self-loathing sap with his unsuccessful vows to quit drinking. As he speeds towards destruction so, too, does England, sliding into war.