A story of scandal, class conflict and bitter rivalry

Mary Barton is the first and arguably the finest of them. In it, early trade-union radicalism and competition between old industrial methods and new is the background to a powerful, often heartbreaking depiction of real rather than ideal Victorian family life

Elizabeth Gaskell, or Mrs Gaskell as she was known, also produced what has been called the first social novel. The living conditions she witnessed daily in her work among poor mill labourers spurred her to write a novel that would prick the social conscience of industrial Britain, while spinning a gripping yarn. It worked. "People on Turkish carpets," wrote one reviewer, "with their three meat meals a day, are wondering why working men turn Chartists and Communists. Do they want to know why? Let them read Mary Barton"

People who read her always come away surprised at how modern she sounds. You don't have to think yourself into her century in order to sympathise, since her guiding principle was no more or less than a sense of practical, day-today justice, totally outside the abiding gentleman-lady-peasant-donkey-peasant's wife hierarchy which surrounded her.

Beaumont has spread his wings with Small World, ditching the out and out comedy for some sharp social analysis, but retaining his knack for a witty, punchy story

A fast-paced novel with a gripping plot

Stourton is a name to watch

Beautifully crafted...a compelling debut of youthful daring. His quietly poetic prose is charming, and there's real warmth and depth here in his explorations of friendship and guilt

Part nostalgic reverie, part taut little thriller, it makes for a promising debut