The Book Report: Fall picks from Washington Post critic Ron Charles (Sept. 18)
By Washington Post e-book critic Ron Charles
Now that the children are again in class and the nights are getting longer, it is time to consider what to learn this fall. Here are a couple of model new titles to take a look at:
Riverhead
When Abdulrazak Gurnah received the Nobel Prize in literature final 12 months, most Americans had by no means learn something by this fascinating creator.
Born in 1948 in Tanzania, Gurnah fled to England after the 1964 rebellion in Zanzibar. Over the years, he is written 10 critically-acclaimed novels.
The newest, “Afterlives” (Riverhead), presents an intimate take a look at village life in East Africa through the interval of German colonialism at first of the twentieth century. This is a e-book that reclaims forgotten historical past and honors misplaced folks in a approach that is heartbreaking and revelatory.
Read an excerpt
“Afterlives” by Abdulrazak Gurnah (Riverhead), in Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio codecs, obtainable by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
Knopf
Maggie O’Farrell’s novel “Hamnet,” concerning the demise of William Shakespeare’s solely son, was top-of-the-line books of 2020.
Now O’Farrell is again with “The Marriage Portrait” (Knopf), a terrific historic thriller that drops us into the panicked thoughts of a teenage woman who is aware of her husband is plotting to kill her.
The woman is Lucrezia de’ Medici, immortalized by Robert Browning’s poem, “My Last Duchess.” History tells us she died in 1561 earlier than she may rejoice her first anniversary, however O’Farrell can have you guessing ’til the final web page.
Read an excerpt
“The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’Farrell (Knopf), in Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio codecs, obtainable September 27 by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
Little, Brown & Co.
What if Americans elected a narcissistic psychopath to the White House?
Some folks may say we have already seen what that will be like. But James Patterson’s breathless new thriller, “Blowback” (Little, Brown), takes that state of affairs to the brink of World War III.
Written with Brendan DuBois, “Blowback” imagines a president decided to defeat America’s enemies as soon as and for all.
A pair of secret brokers are honored to assist the president’s plan – till they notice he is about to destroy the nation.
Read an excerpt
“Blowback” by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois (Little, Brown and Company), in Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio codecs, obtainable by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Mary Rodgers, who died in 2014, lived her life within the melodies of American musical theater. She was Richard Rodgers’ daughter, composer Adam Guettel’s mom, and Stephen Sondheim’s buddy – and she or he was an achieved composer and creator herself.
Now, all these great tales take heart stage in “Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), written with USA Prime Time theater critic Jesse Green.
Through painful relationships and completely happy ones, disappointments and successes, Rodgers isn’t something however candid, forgiving and witty. So, sit down and let the curtain rise.
Read an excerpt
“Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers” by Mary Rodgers and Jesse Green (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio codecs, obtainable by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
Follow @JesseKGreen on Twitter
For these and different ideas about what to learn this fall, contact your librarians or native bookseller.
That’s it for The Book Report. I’m Ron Charles. Until subsequent time, learn on!
For extra information:
For extra studying suggestions, try these earlier Book Report options from Ron Charles:
Produced by Robin Sanders and Roman Feeser.