Author:Irène Némirovsky,Claire Messud,Sandra Smith

Readers everywhere were introduced to the work of Irène Némirovsky through the publication of her long-lost masterpiece, Suite Française. But Suite Française was only a coda to the brief yet remarkably prolific career of this nearly forgotten, yet hugely talented novelist, who fled Russia for Paris after the Revolution and died at Auschwitz at the age of 39. Here in one volume are four of Némirovsky's other novels - all of them newly translated by the award-winning Sandra Smith, and all, except David Golder, available in English for the first time.
David Golder is the book that established Némirovsky's reputation in France in 1929 when she was twenty-six. It is a novel about greed and loneliness, the story of an ageing Russian Jewish businessman,an exile in France, learning to confront death and the knowledge that wealth has not brought him happiness. The Ball is both a sensitive exploration of adolescenceand a mercilessexposure of bourgeois social pretension. Snow in Autumn is an evocative tale of White Russian emigrés in Paris, while in The Courilof Affair a retired Russian revolutionary recalls an infamous assassinationcommitted in his youth. Introduced by novelist Claire Messud.
The work of a genuine artist
—— Julian BarnesNemirovsky has a great gift for describing the ordinariness that surrounds catastrophes... it is this ability to conjure up people, in all their moods and foibles, their selflessness or vanity, that makes Suite Francaise so remarkable
—— Literary ReviewWilson tells a story of laughter, love, tears, and trouble in this hilarious tale.
—— The Good Book GuideFunny and enjoyable.
—— Lincolnshire EchoShortlisted for Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award in 9 - 11 years category
—— Lincolnshire EchoRead it. I'm sure you'll love it.
—— Reading MattersA charming, funny and touching story.
—— ni4kids (Ireland)A really interesting book with something in it for everyone.
—— Newcastle Upon Tyne Evening ChronicleShort review
—— SA love story (or rather several love stories), an oblique and engrossing mystery, but above all a story about language and its limitations
—— Sunday TelegraphAmbitious and compelling
—— Sunday TimesIn his latest novel, Parks demonstrates a seemingly effortless mastery of biochemistry...a fast paced thriller with sex and relationships at its heart
—— Jane Housham , The Guardian Saturday ReviewEntirely convincing. He is a highly skilful writer and this is an absorbing story
—— Nick Rennison , Sunday TimesParks competently handles the themes of secrecy and communication
—— Heather McRobie , TelegraphThis is Pratchett operating at the peak of his powers. Nation's often very funny, the characters are adorable, the plot intriguing... Nation is wryly hilarious throughout.
—— DeathRayIt's a wonderful story, by turns harrowing and triumphant, and Mau and Daphne are tremendously appealing characters. It's a book that can be read with great pleasure by young readers-and not a few of their parents, I suspect-as both a high-spirited yarn and a subtle examination of the risks and virtues of faith.
—— The New York TimesGr 7-10-A tsunami has hit Mau's island home and washed away everyone he has known. Daphne is from the other side of the globe and is the sole survivor (or so she thinks) of a shipwreck on the island. The two come together and each of them brings wisdom, intelligence, and sense of humanity to their dire situation. An absorbing novel of survival and discovery liberally infused with Pratchett's trademark wit.
—— The School Library JournalThis culture clash comedy gives way to growing understanding and there is much to ponder on the merits of faith and tradition.
—— Wolverhampton Chronicle... a unique, exhilarating tour de force
—— School Librarian... a very funny and well-written story. The characters and plot are both imaginative and thought-provoking.
—— Calum Turner, Lochgilphead High , Teen TitlesA South Seas island adventure with an assured comic edge from Pratchett... This culture clash comedy gives way to growing understanding and there is much to ponder on the merits of faith and tradition.
—— Wolverhampton ChronicleI think this is - just possibly -the best book Pratchett has ever written.
—— Michelle West , Fantasy and Science FictionThis is a novel for all ages from (say) 11 to (say) 90, and its narrative exuberance will lure its younger readers to 'strange seas of thought'.
—— School Library AssociationPratchett writing at the height of his powers.
—— CarouselA serious work, but one written with humour and a lightness of touch that embraces big questions...it is a book about the faith of our times.
—— INISTerry Pratchett's use of language here is funny and exciting. This book delivers adventure, philosophy and satire. Pratchett has written of a very different world from his Discworld series. This is one of the cleverest novels I have read in years.
—— Newsademic.comNation is a modern tale of enlightenment that can be enjoyed by teenagers and aduls alike. An exceptional read, highly recommended.
—— Joesphine Brady , Classroom (NATE)An ebullient and entertaining novel of ideas.
—— Julia Eccleshare , The GuardianNation, published in 2008 (this year's award catchment runs from August 2008-September 2009), is an extraordinarily complicated tale about God, tradition and loss. Yet it is told with beautiful simplicity and rollicking readability.
—— Andrew Johnson , The IndependentFunny and profound, Nation is much more than an adventure story, pitting reason against religion and offering an alternative perspective on world history and culture.
—— Time OutAs Pratchett says: "Thinking. This book contains some. Whether you try it at home is up to you." His wit is on every page; his world surpasses ours, his writing is weird and wonderful. No, weirdly wonderful. It is gripping but put the book down to ponder the thoughts inside to unearth a parallel universe. Terry Pratchett is worth more than his idiom; his teachings contain more philosophical thought than I would have ever thought possible.
—— Sian Reilly (aged 13) , Sunday Express






