By Georgia Wells and Charlotte Barber
Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer
22 September, Little Brown Book Group
Greer’s latest novel Less is Lost continues the story of the lovably awkward Arthur Less on his unforgettable road trip across the United States.
The life of Arthur Less is never straightforward. His life seems to be settling into mundanity as he finds himself in a happy, steady relationship with his loving partner Freddy and his career in writing seems to be going moderately well. But of course, nothing stays easy for long in the life of Less. With the death of an ex-lover and an unexpected financial crisis on his hands, Less finds himself once again running away from the problem.
Set out on a literary tour across the US, Less finds himself moving around in every direction in order to avoid the problems at home. He treks through the “Mild Wild West,” heading down south and then back again, all the time with his trusty duo: Dolly the pug and Rosina the rusty campervan.
But as they say, you can run but you can’t hide. Behind all his wacky wardrobe changes and the crazy experiences, at home still lies his strained relationships and the personal demons he has to face upon his return. This second instalment of the tales of Less speak of love and loss, family, and the enigma of American life. This joyous and profound novel is one not to be missed this autumn.
Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco
27 September, Hodder & Stoughton
Kingdom of the Feared is the much-anticipated final part to the 'Kingdom of the Wicked' trilogy, as Maniscalco gives Emilia one last mystery.
Emilia’s sister, Vittoria, is alive. She is still trying to come to terms with having believed that she was dead for all these years. However, before she can face her past, she must face her future and she is desperate to have her King. The Prince of Wrath is everything she wants, even though having him in the flesh is something that he can’t promise her.
When a member of the House Greed is assassinated, they are both summoned to the rival demon court. Here, they must face the fact that damning evidence points Vittoria as the murderer, making her a fast enemy to the Seven Circles.
Working together, Emilia and Wrath play a “sin-fuelled game of deception” in order to bring peace to the rift that is brewing between the witches, demons and shapeshifters. It even begins to unsettle the most treacherous foes of all, the Feared.
When nothing is as it seems, Emilia must tread carefully and when the truth is finally revealed, there is the shocking realization that it might just “cost Emilia her heart.”
Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes: The Official Biography by Rob Wilkins
29 September, Transworld
Towards the end of his life, Terry Pratchett embarked on a journey to write his greatest story yet – his own. In this story, he talks about how he proved his primary school Headmaster wrong time and time again after he had told Pratchett he believed he would amount to nothing.
However, following his untimely death at the age of sixty-six to Alzheimer’s, the responsibility was passed to Rob Wilkins to complete the tales of Terry’s wonderful life. Through conversations with Terry’s friends, family, colleagues, and fans, Rob has pulled together a culmination of stories from every side of Pratchett; and this biography encapsulates everything that the much-adored author achieved in his sixty-six years.
We Spread by Iain Reid
29 September, Simon & Schuster UK
Penny has settled into old age, still making sure to stay actively painting and creating. She has lived in the same apartment for decades amongst her lifelong keepsakes and trinkets. However, as she finds herself in the later years of her life, caring for herself is proving to be increasingly difficult. After one too many “incidents,” she finds herself taken away to a long-term care residence as organised by her life partner before he passed away many years prior.
At first, life at the home feels amazing for Penny. She has company, every meal cooked for her and has social activities to get involved with, not to mention the gorgeous surroundings of the woods just outside the home. She even continues to paint. But as time creeps on, this seemingly perfect life starts to become unsettling. Penny finds herself unable to trust the people around her, feeling restless of her time trapped in the home. She starts to question whether these are the natural feelings of ageing, or if there is something more sinister at play. In Reid’s latest novel, he explores creativity and freedom, and what it means in relation to ageing. Deeply gripping and wondrously surreal, We Spread is one for the reading list this autumn.