Author:Soheir Khashoggi

Brought up on his father's cotton plantation in Alexandria, Charles Austen had always led a privileged life.But when Charles falls hopelessly in love with Karima Ismail, his world is turned upside down.For although beautiful, and blessed with a magnificent singing talent, Karima is merely a servant and her forbidden love affair with Charles is destined to end in tragedy.
All too soon Karima is forced to accept a hastily arranged marriage and learns to live contentedly with her husband and daughter, Nadia, the only tangible link that remains between her and Charles.In time, she also becomes one of the most admired and successful singers of her generation - the adored 'Nightingale'.
Yet Karima's success counts for nothing when Nadia suddenly disappears.For years this traumatic event casts a shadow over Karima's life and the life of her beautiful daughter who, with a new identity and a new name, grows up thousands of miles away.It is only when an unexpected chain of events leads 'Gaby' back to Egypt, that she can begin to unravel the mystery of her past - and discover the happiness she longs for.
A fascinating story of divided loyalties, forbidden love and tender camaraderie
—— Jean SassonA weird and hugely enjoyable blend of Aldous Huxley's The Devils of Loudon and Angela Carter's Nights at the Circus
—— New StatesmanWith this bold, inventive book, Harris confirms her position as one of Britain's most popular novelists... Fans will be delighted by the way this novel complements her earlier works. At the same time, the author's experiments with structure and voice ensure this story is fresh and compelling
—— Daily MailHugely enjoyable... Both consoling and wise
—— Amanda Craig , New StatesmanWith this bold, inventive book, Harris confirms her position as one of Britain's most popular novellists... Fresh and compelling
—— Daily MailHighly enjoyable
—— Independent on SundayBrilliant... An imaginative, colourful page-turner
—— Choice MagazineHer writing is as wonderful as ever ... You won't be able to tear yourself away
—— GlamourA compelling blend of murder, lies and revenge. A novel full of intrigue and suspense
—— Waterstone's Book QuarterlyAddictive first novel...this slangy, plosive-packed prose is what makes the book a success...an expert manipulation of syntax keeps things zingy...it is a plus point that the dystopia bears no allegorical weight, thriving purely as an imaginary realm to be taken at face value
—— Sunday TimesThis is a darkly funny tale of gangland warfare in Ireland that reads like a fast-paced film
—— CosmopolitanIt's hilarious and visceral
—— Financial TimesThe plot is engrossing, with strong bones, yet sinuous and surprising... Barry plays with words with a manic joy and its this use of language that draws the reader in
—— Time OutHe makes a bold statement, not only about his considerable talent but also his plot to upend the realm of modern Irish literature with a work of such singular scope and voice that it is bound to be the talk of book circles this year and possibly beyond
—— Independent on SundayvVolent and bleak and yet somehow full of romance, the driving story and powerful use of language make for a heady experience
—— Erica Wagner , The Times, Books of the YearRampaging
—— Sebastian Barry , Guardian, Books of the YearKnocked me out, big time... The characters are demented but also weirdly familiar; an amazing book altogether
—— Maeve Higgins , Irish Times, Books of the YearHumour, moxie and a real love of the lingo... A riot of music, gang warfare and a hilarious patois
—— John Butler , Irish Times, Books of the YearBohane is a post-apocalyptic, low-tech, dog-eat-dog Irish city - and it's mesmerising. The characters' coarse language is vividly poetic, and there's a peculiar optimism about their lives that comes of living in an atmosphere of heart-stopping brutishness. A unique and fascinating book
—— Claire Looby , Irish TimesThe prose flows easily, underpinned with a wry humour that counters the harsh, modern realism
—— Big Issue in the NorthA Man of Parts has the lovely, loquacious qualities that typify eccentric wonders such as The War of the Worlds and The History of Mr Polly. David Lodge reminds us that Wells, an imperfect man, is still a worthy witness to his own world and to those worlds that may yet to come.
—— Andrew Tate , Third Way MagazineLodge understands the Edwardian literary and political scene extremely well, and traces Wells's entanglements with the louche world of Fabians and free lovers with real intimacy
—— Times Literary SupplementAs protean, elusive but compelling as it's hero, David Lodge's bio-novel about HG Wells breaks all the rules but still grips the reader - like Wells himself
—— Boyd Tonkin , IndependentA wry, racy and absorbing biographical novel
—— Benjamin Evans , Telegraph, Seven MagazineLodge knows how to tease the inner man out from behind the historical figure, subjecting Wells to probing interviews throughout the book in which his deeper beliefs and contradictions are laid bare
—— Alastair Mabbot , HeraldThis fictionalised version of HG Wells dramatises the author's life, which was full of politics, writing and women
—— Daily TelegraphDavid Lodge's HG Wells was both a visionary and a chancer; as arrogant as he was insecure; with as many noble goals as base instincts; a mass of very human contradictions; as Lodge has it, a man of parts
—— Sunday Express