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Telegraph
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The 12 most memorable summer reads chosen by our writers
As temperatures soar across Europe many are taking shelter with a cool drink and a good book. As Iris Apfel, the American businesswoman and designer once said: 'A good book is the best accessory.' But what are the best reads for your summer? We asked Telegraph writers and readers which books they would recommend for your next holiday or sunny afternoon in the garden. Lucky Jim Somewhat jammily, I grew up in St Ives, Cornwall. I first read Kingsley Amis 's debut novel on the beach there when I was 13 or 14. And again the next summer. And the next, probably. I thought it was the funniest thing ever written. On some level I still do. Admittedly, the setting doesn't scream 'holiday': a provincial university in the 1950s, where our hero Jim Dixon works as a junior lecturer in medieval history. He doesn't love his subject ('The hydrogen bomb... [seemed] a light price to pay for no longer being in the Middle Ages.') He doesn't love his colleagues, reserving his least charitable thoughts for his boss, Professor Welch. He does, conveniently, fall in love with the girlfriend of Welch's preening son (the novel's chief antagonist). The slapstick parts are justly famous: Dixon accidentally setting fire to his bedsheets, pulling faces ('Sex Life in Ancient Rome', 'Evelyn Waugh') and giving a lecture while both drunk and black-eyed. But Lucky Jim is also a portrait of a changing Britain, alive with closely observed social comedy. Amis – who writes about booze, inebriation and hangovers better than anyone – would want you to read it with something cold to hand. Just be careful when you take your sips. Buy the book Five Decembers It used to be that you were allowed to delude yourself into thinking you could tackle a 'proper' book on holiday. Someone rocking up to the lounger with Stalingrad was to be admired rather than heckled. Mercifully, smartphones have put paid to all of that nonsense. Although beach reads still need to be respectable enough not to invite ridicule, today they must compete with the box of delights in your pocket. This means books must be short, interesting and funny; and in that order. Of this year's new fiction, I'd say David Szalay's Flesh and Vincenzo Latronico's Perfection fit the bill. But the only book I have ever had a 100 per cent hit rate with recommending is Five Decembers by James Kestrel, a perfect and bafflingly under-appreciated thriller set in the Second World War. A Certain Idea of France by Julian Jackson Charles de Gaulle changed the course of modern history; Julian Jackson will do the same for how you see historical biography. I once spent a week in Mallorca with a stack of books to hand, and I read just one, day after day: A Certain Idea of France. It was spellbinding, like being shown a vision of someone's soul. Over 900 patient and elegant pages, le Général emerged in all his contradictions. He could be haughty, silent, bombastic, jovial, often downright weird; he was a decolonising conservative, an anti-fascist with authoritarian tendencies. More than two metres tall and oddly proportioned, he dominated most rooms, and made sure of it. Roosevelt despised him; Churchill found him exasperating but unignorable. After de Gaulle, initially a mere brigadier general, escaped to London in 1940, turned against the Vichy regime and declared a 'Free France' – as if he were answering destiny's call – he spent his remaining three decades in tireless combat with not only Nazi Germany, but also America ('rootless'), Britain ('perfidious'), and most everybody else. He left politics soon after the war, but returned to save France in 1958, and his decade of rule made that nation, for better or worse, what it is today. He was never a moderate, nor sought to be. 'How can you govern a country,' he once quipped, 'that has 246 varieties of cheese?' Jackson's book is a masterpiece: it will fill a week by the pool, at least. And if you're a faster reader than that, never fear. You can chase it with his 2023 book France on Trial, a brilliant study of Philippe Pétain – the Maréchal whose surrender de Gaulle refused to obey. To me, William Boyd is a master storyteller, whose books fuse all the attributes of literary fiction – style, characterisation and intellectual rigour – with compelling narratives and what you might call the unputdownable factor. None are more unputdownable than Any Human Heart, a meditation on luck and chance which spans the 20th century, told in one glorious sweep through the personal journals of Logan Mountstuart, whose extraordinarily rich and eventful life sees him crossing paths with Virginia Woolf and Ernest Hemingway, recruited as a spy by Ian Fleming, dining with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and hanging out with Jackson Pollock. I first read it on holiday in Corsica, and in the days spent sightseeing, walking and swimming found myself actively yearning to get back to the villa and the crucial business of finding out what happened next. You couldn't ask for anything more. Bryant and May I use my holidays to completely unwind so I avoid all non-fiction; political books are an absolute no no, and as for royal biographies, forget it. Instead, I usually opt for crime, thrillers and mystery books. I've read all of Lee Child's Jack Reacher series and everything Michael Connelly has ever written featuring Harry Bosch. But during my most recent period of annual leave, I made a new discovery: Bryant & May by Christopher Fowler. Golden Age Detectives in a modern world, Arthur Bryant and John May head the Peculiar Crimes Unit, London's most venerable specialist police team, a division founded during the Second World War to investigate cases that cause national scandal or public unrest. These beautifully written whodunnits have got everything a great holiday page-turner needs: compelling dialogue, plot twists and most importantly: a sense of humour. by Elif Shafak The summer read that comes to mind for me is The Island of Missing Trees, by Elif Shafak. It's stayed with me long after I read it a couple of summers ago, and everyone I've recommended it to has since also lapped it up. Set between a divided Cyprus in the 1970s and London in the 2010s, it follows the clandestine relationship between Kostas, a Greek Cypriot, and Defne, a Turkish Cypriot. Their love, shadowed by the island's conflict, finds an echo decades later as their daughter Ada, living in London, unearths the story of her family's past for a school summer project. It's part love story, part vivid portrait of Cyprus – the island of fig trees and sun-drenched tavernas – yet the novel never shies away from the pain of the civil war (which the book does a good job teaching you about). Some chapters are hard to read; but Shafak's writing is poetic and easy to follow, making for a perfect pool or beach-side page-turner that still has a bit of grit – whether that be in Nicosia or elsewhere. Buy the book Educated by Tara Westover This memoir, published in 2018, is pure escapism. Westover reflects on her childhood growing up in the mountains of Idaho in a deeply religious Mormon family, where she spent much of her time preparing for the world's end. Mental health is at the book's forefront: her brother is often violent and her father is descending into an increasing pit of radicalism. Westover never shies away from the uncomfortable crossover between illness and extreme religion in her parents. Eventually, at 16, she escapes – on a journey that takes her far from Idaho to Cambridge University, where she grapples with the dynamics of family life both in and out of the home. Her experiences both haunt and inform her later decisions and stay with you long afterwards. It's an excellent read to get lost in. H Wilbor, reader Buy the book The Professor by Charlotte Brontë I've just been to a wonderfully peaceful and beautiful Greek island, where I enjoyed my book group's selection of The Professor by Charlotte Brontë – hardly her best-known novel – which follows a love story, mostly set in Brussels. I found it profound, and delicately paced. Jane Dee, Reader Buy the book Mr Einstein's Secretary by Matthew Reilly What a refreshing change to read a well-written novel where fact meets fiction. We all know a little about Einstein but in this historical tale, we have a wonderful picture of his life, his love and his neighbour Hanna. During Hanna's early years, Einstein encourages her inquisitiveness: soon, she only wants to become a brilliant physicist. Because of the war and the loss of her parents (and for her safety), Einstein ships her off to America where she meets successful businessmen, gangsters and leading figures of the Nazi concentration camps. There's also a twin sister, who crops up in the most extreme of situations – at times, one is frightened of what the book's outcome might be. Hanna herself is well characterised by Reilly: I was rooting for her throughout her trials, tribulations and successes. Throughout this novel I felt enlightened and entertained – it's one to fire up all your emotions. Helen Smith, Reader Buy the book The Climb by Chris Froome Chris Froome's book, The Climb, is one of the best sports autobiographies I have ever read, and makes a particularly good summer read. I've since read it twice, and it's spurred on my love for cycling and all things sport. I definitely recommend it for any keen cyclist, gymmer, runner, swimmer or triathlete. Natasha Poole, reader Buy the book
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Mansion in one of the most iconic locations in Wales could now be yours
Certain locations are immediately identifiable to many as unique Welsh sites, rich in history, literature, culture or breathtaking views. Cliff House offers all of these as well as the chance to move-in and add your own personal style to the spaces - if you can concentrate for long enough with the mesmerising view constantly there and constantly changing to distract you. This magnificent Georgian mansion is situated next to Dylan Thomas' renowned Laugharne boathouse and writing shed, sharing the same captivating, panoramic view across the River Tâf estuary before it merges into Carmarthen Bay. According to the Coflein website, Cliff House is believed to be where Kingsley Amis penned 'The Old Devils' in 1986. This additional piece of literary history further enhances the cultural significance of this waterside town and of this particularly unique home. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here Laugharne is a Welsh town celebrated for its array of charming properties that are a joy to explore as you meander through the small, winding lanes. It boasts its own castle, characterful accommodations, and a range of eateries offering the finest local cuisine, from cosy cafes to fish and chips, from gourmet dining to excellent pub food. It's undeniable that Thomas must have been inspired by the extraordinary and captivating water views stretching out from this incredible property. His writing shed is tucked into the hillside just above the main house, which commands a panoramic view of three estuaries. While owning the boathouse might be a pipe dream, Cliff House offers its own slice of paradise in this renowned location. Nestled behind towering gates and lush hedges, this white-washed mansion, spread across four floors, is a sight to behold as it peeks out from the surrounding greenery. This grand family residence occupies a private plot of just under half an acre, offering a haven of breathtaking views and spacious living. The sprawling mansion provides approximately 5,000 square feet of accommodation. Secluded behind private gates, a garden with landscaped terraces presents numerous spots for you to sit back and soak in the vast landscape that unfolds before your eyes - a truly remarkable sight and arguably one of the best waterside views and locations in Wales. The property features tranquil and secluded patches of lawn encircled by mature trees and shrubs, providing a natural retreat for outdoor relaxation. Alternatively, you could enjoy the spacious ground floor terrace or step out from any of the river-facing rooms on the first floor onto the balcony that spans the width of the house. Arriving by car is straightforward with ample parking space and a ground-floor garage. However, arriving by boat is undoubtedly more thrilling. It's said that Dylan Thomas first arrived in the town by disembarking from a ferry directly below, and this mode of transport remains feasible as the property comes with its own mooring. The mansion's ground floor primarily houses the garage and a laundry room. With appropriate planning and a generous budget, this space could be transformed into additional accommodation for multi-generational living or a holiday let, complementing the existing flat on the top floor. The first floor is where the views truly captivate you from its elevated position above the garden terrace. This level hosts a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and breakfast sunroom - all of which enjoy stunning views across the water. Ascending to the second floor, the main bedroom offers direct water views right from the pillows, with an ensuite and dressing room enhancing its appeal as a special space. This floor also features two more double bedrooms, a bathroom equipped with a multi-jet spa bath, and a useful storage room. The top floor currently serves as a self-contained two-bedroom apartment, complete with its own reception area, sitting room, kitchen diner, and bathroom - a perfect abode for the lucky grandparents or younger family member who gets to call this space home. Cliff House is for sale with Country Living Group with a guide price of £1.25m, call 01437 616101 to find out more. For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Boston Globe
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Geoff Nicholson, author of darkly comic novels, dies at 71
His Facebook profile once had a list of "liked" books whose first two titles were "Gravity's Rainbow" and "The Big Sleep," a thumbnail distillation of his own oeuvre of highbrow plundering of lowbrow culture. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Mr. Nicholson was a verbal jokester, whether in ambitious fiction or in more prosaic writing. For the 'About' page of his website, he annotated his own Wikipedia entry. In response to Wikipedia's assertion that his work was 'compared favorably' to that of Kingsley and Martin Amis, Will Self and Zadie Smith, Mr. Nicholson wrote, 'I don't recall anybody ever comparing me to Kingsley Amis, but I suppose they might have.' Advertisement One person who did compare him to Kingsley Amis, the midcentury British satirist, was The New York Times critic Michiko Kakutani, writing a 1997 review of Mr. Nicholson's best-known novel, 'Bleeding London.' "As he has done in the past," Kakutani wrote, "Mr. Nicholson nimbly weaves his eccentric characters' overlapping lives into a wacky, black-humored farce, a farce that combines the clever high jinks of an Alec Guinness Ealing comedy with the satirical wit of Kingsley Amis." In "Bleeding London," which was on the shortlist for the Whitbread Award, three protagonists are variously obsessed with mapping the city. (The novel inspired hundreds of photographers in 2014 to snap 58,000 pictures of London streets for an exhibition at City Hall.) Maps were a recurring theme of Mr. Nicholson's. In his novel 'The City Under the Skin' (2014), a kind of cartographic thriller, women are abducted and their backs tattooed with crude maps, before being freed into an unnamed dystopian city. One character is a clerk in a map store. Advertisement Mr. Nicholson accumulated maps for much of his life. He told The Los Angeles Times: 'I'm a bit of a serial obsessive in that I get deeply interested in things for a short time. And as a novelist, I'm always thinking, 'Is there a book in this?' " The protagonist of his novel "Hunters and Gatherers" (1994) is a bartender who is working on a book about oddball collectors and their heaps of stuff. 'Collecting is an act of appropriation,' the character observes, in what could be a vision statement for Mr. Nicholson. 'The world is arbitrary and disconnected. By starting a collection you start to make connections. You decide what matters and what's valuable. You make a neat world.' In the Times, Kakutani wrote, "Indeed, his own novel stands as a charming little testament to the ordering impulses of art." Other obsessions of Mr. Nicholson included VW bugs, which featured prominently in two novels, 'Still Life With Volkswagens' (1996) and 'Gravity's Volkswagen' (2009), and sexual fetishes. He was the author of 'Footsucker' (1995), a murder mystery starring an unapologetic foot fetishist, and 'Sex Collectors' (2006), a nonfiction work about connoisseurs and accumulators of pornography. Emily Nussbaum wrote in a Times review: "He's such an appealing writer that you want him to succeed. Sadly, Nicholson's chosen territory turns out to be surprisingly unsexy." Mr. Nicholson was married for a time to Dian Hanson, a former model who edited a fetishist magazine, Leg Show. After living together in New York, the couple moved to Los Angeles when Hanson became the editor of sex-themed books for the luxury art publisher Taschen. Mr. Nicholson reveled in the 1960s kitsch of his home in a geodesic dome in the Hollywood Hills. Advertisement Geoffrey Joseph Nicholson was born March 4, 1953, in Sheffield, England, in the industrial Midlands east of Manchester. He was the only child of Geoffrey and Violet Nicholson. His father was a carpenter. He studied English at Gonville & Caius College at the University of Cambridge and drama at Essex University. He published early stories in a literary magazine, Ambit, whose prose editor was J.G. Ballard, the author of dystopian science fiction novels. Mr. Nicholson succeeded Ballard in the role. In all, from 1987 to 2023, Mr. Nicholson published 17 novels and 10 works of nonfiction. He could be touchy about his prolificacy, which was sometimes mentioned by reviewers. "I've published 20 books in 22 years (some quite short), and I'd say that's not excessive, given that I don't have a day job," he wrote in an essay in the Times in 2009 about the fact that reviewers frequently mentioned his output. "But accurate or not, 'prolific' definitely didn't feel like an unalloyed compliment." An early marriage, to Tessa Robinson, ended in divorce, as did his marriage to Hanson. Gannon is his only survivor. She was one of the photographers on the 'Bleeding London' project, and Mr. Nicholson and she became a couple in 2018 when he moved back to England after his second divorce, to the village of Manningtree in Essex. In his later years, Mr. Nicholson's obsessions simmered down, from fetishism to strolling. He wrote memoir travelogues, for which he preferred ambulating locally to wilderness trekking. 'The Lost Art of Walking' (2008) was inspired by his habit of solving plot twists in his novels on long walks. In 'Walking in Ruins' (2013), the abandoned sites he explores include the faded environs of his youth in Sheffield. Advertisement In his final book, 'Walking on Thin Air: A Life's Journey in 99 Steps' (2023), Mr. Nicholson wrote: 'I go to places. I walk when I'm there, I look around, I write about what I see and feel. It's not the only thing I do with my life, but it's probably the best part.' The book was steeped in the knowledge that his life was likely to be shortened by cancer, though naturally he treated his circumstances more with gallows humor than with spiritual introspection. "Nicholson's writing career has been varied, admirable and courageous," Tom Zoellner wrote reviewing the memoir for The Los Angeles Review of Books. "He stops to notice uncommercial and even bizarre subjects, shunning well-traveled roads. He goes where he likes. He gets out often. Nobody can imitate him." This article originally appeared in
