Lucky Jim

‘There has been a lot of fighting hereabouts. The trenches have made themselves rather than been made, and run inconsequently in and out of the big thirty-foot high stacks of bricks; it is most confusing. The parapet of a trench which we don’t occupy is built up with ammunition boxes and corpses . . .’ […]

‘What we all need,’ said Larry, ‘is sunshine…a country where we can grow.‘ ‘Yes, dear, that would be nice,’ agreed Mother, not really listening. ‘I had a letter from George this morning – he says Corfu’s wonderful. Why don’t we pack up and go to Greece?’ ‘Very well, dear, if you like,’ said Mother unguardedly. Escaping […]

Goodbye to Berlin is the novella that inspired Cabaret, evoking the glamour and sleaze, excess and repression of Berlin society. Isherwood shows the lives of people under threat from the rise of the Nazis: a wealthy Jewish heiress, Natalia Landauer, a gay couple

Nick Hornby’s internationally bestselling first novel, available as a Penguin Essential for the first time. Do you know your desert-island, all-time, top five most memorable split-ups? Rob does. He keeps a list, in fact. But Laura isn’t on it – even though she’s just become his latest ex. He’s got his life back, you see. […]