THE BOOKCASE

Tim Park

Linguistics professor Thomas Saunders is on his way home to try and see his mum on her deathbed. The problem is, he just has so much else on his mind... He's supposed to be giving the keynote speech at a big conference in Berlin. His best friend's just been assaulted by his own son. He's anxious about his girlfriend back in Spain, partly because she's half his age and partly because he still hasn't told his family that he left his wife for her two years ago. Oh, and he's just triggered an onset of the chronic pelvic-floor pain that has been plaguing him for years... by self-administering a therapeutic anal massage with a special contraption that is raising all sorts of eyebrows at airport security. The novel follows the meanderings and vacillations of Thomas' mind as he navigates these and a hundred other related issues. There are texts and emails to respond to, family members to negotiate, a funeral to survive, and painful memories to contend with. Perhaps he shouldn't have left his wife? What was the meaning of his mother's last enigmatic words to him - 'If only...'? And - reflecting on the unquestioning religiosity of his lay preacher mum and vicar dad (also dead) - how do you square your grief for the loss of your parents with an equally heartfelt rejection of all that they believed in? In Extremis is by turns funny, poignant and thought-provoking. Structured with subtle intricacy, superbly controlled, and emotionally intelligent, this is a book to love.

Birdcage Walk

Helen Dunmore

With her vivid prose, Helen Dunmore is a writer who can make herself at home in any era. Her latest novel takes an oblique look at the French Revolution, showing how distant political events can both impact and have echoes in very personal circumstances. Lizzie, who has been brought up among radicals, is married to sinister speculative builder Diner. His plans to build a terrace of houses above the Avon Gorge are left 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 while it's set in the past, this novel has a very contemporary message about the consequences of political turmoil.

In The Name Of The Family

Sarah Dunant

It's 1502 and Niccolo Machiavelli is called to one of the most exciting diplomatic tasks of his career. Sarah Dunant vividly brings these encounters alive, which go on to be major influences on his treatise on statesmanship, The Prince. However, the historical novel In The Name Of The Family is mainly the tale of the extraordinary Borgia family. Pope Alexander, the venal and corrupt head of the family, ruthlessly promotes the interests of his illegitimate children. Cesare, the cruel but brilliant military commander son, conquers the Italian city states through force and guile (and impressing Machiavelli with such feats), while his sister Lucrezia aims to restore the family name and fortune through diplomacy and charm. The story takes us through their audacious power grab - will this usurper Spanish family prevail in creating their lasting dynasty? Dunant takes the dramatic historical ledger and blends great narrative with the main actors in this period to create an immersive read of Renaissance Italy.

The Raqqa Diaries: Escape From Islamic State

Samer

Writing under the pseudonym Samer, this 24-year-old Syrian from Raqqa has documented life under the occupation of Daesh in all of its devastating detail, risking death to smuggle his notes to the outside world. Growing up under the Syrian regime, he saw hope flare in the revolution of 2011, before Daesh's occupation of his city created a situation even more oppressive than before. The narrative is all too familiar, but it is Samer's personal account that shocks: he is forced to watch as friends are beheaded for minor transgressions; his father is killed in one of the regime's airstrikes; his beloved city is brought to its knees. There is little redemption, but much dignity, as he attempts to survive and resist, trapped between Daesh, Assad and foreign powers, all alike in their total disregard for the citizens of Raqqa. Brutal and essential.