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The Autograph Man
The Autograph Man
Jan 1, 2026 5:31 AM

Author:Zadie Smith,Ben Barnes

The Autograph Man

From the MAN BOOKER PRIZE- and WOMEN'S PRIZE-SHORTLISTED author of Swing Time, White Teeth and On Beauty

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith, read by Ben Barnes.

'A pleasure from the first page to the last' Evening Standard

'A glorious concoction by our most beguiling and original prose-wizard' Independent on Sunday

'Full of humour, the search for love and the fear of death... A touching, thoughtful, deeply felt rite-of-passage novel' Sunday Telegraph

The Autograph Man follows one Alex-Li Tandem: a twenty-something Chinese-Jewish autograph dealer turned on by sex, drugs and organised religion. From London to New York, love to death, fathers to sons, Alex tries to discover how a piece of paper can bring him closer to his heart's desire. Exposing our misconceptions about our idols - about ourselves - Zadie Smith delivers a brilliant, unforgettable tale about who we are and what we really want to be.

Reviews

It's obvious why this charming book - funny, sweet and not without a few important happy-life tips - hit number one abroad

—— Good Housekeeping USA

Raphaëlle Giordano teaches us how to come up for air and to fall in love with life. We say yes!

—— Madame Figaro

A delicious feel-good novel

—— Marie France

A funny, entertaining novel full of tenderness that can help you get your new life off the ground. To be read as soon as possible

—— Metro News

This charming novel is perfect for anyone who feels they aren’t living the life they could be. Plus, once you’re finished, you can gaze lovingly at the cover, which is basically the motivational poster your desk needs.

—— HelloGiggles

A delightful read. Irresistible!

—— Biba Magazine

A one-sitting read, because we all resemble Camille to some degree, and we'd all love to do what she does. So what if we gave it a go...?

—— Femme Actuelle

A publishing phenomenon

—— Figaro

You’ll be racing to reach the end

—— S Magazine

Koomson is the queen of the big reveal, and takes her time slowly building the tension in this truly gripping read

—— Sun

A hot read

—— Woman magazine

The Brighton Mermaid is a breathtakingly brilliant, twisty belter of a book and you need to read it!

—— Miranda Dickinson, author of Somewhere Beyond The Sea

Fast-paced, dark and simmering – can’t recommend this novel enough.’

—— Caroline Smailes, author of The Drowning of Arthur Braxton

Gripping, twisty, scary and uplifting in spite of it all . . . thriller lovers, this one is for YOU.

—— Cathy Cassidy, author of Love From Lexie

A brilliant exploration of the dark side of human nature and the secrets people hide.

—— Life Has A Funny Way blog

Emotive and thrilling this makes for a compelling read

—— Charlene Jess, blogger

It was an excellent, absorbing read, and there's lots of content to sink your teeth into.

—— www.bookbag.co.uk

If you’re looking for a book where you won’t be able to guess where it’s heading, where you are on the edge of your seat and cannot guess the ending then this is the book for you!

—— Needing Escapism blog

I’m convinced it’s this intimacy between reader and character that makes Dorothy’s stories so gripping. In the case of The Brighton Mermaid the suspense, thrill and fear was palpable

—— Maria, Tiger Tales blog

I've been left reeling from this book that packs a humongous punch. The story builds steadily at first but when I sat down for the last 30% this evening, I didn't expect anything like what I read

—— Rachel’s Random Reads

As always Dorothy Koomson uses a number of hard-hitting issues in The Brighton Mermaid but all are deeply woven into the story-line, not one appearing placed for effect alone

—— Cleopatra Loves Books blog

The premise for this story is clever, intriguing and a perfect hook. The lingering sense of threat and ominous atmosphere builds gradually . . . kept me gripped and on edge of my seat

—— Bibliomanic blog

Plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and unable to put the book down

—— Opinionated Emz blog

Addictive read full of secrets

—— Fabulist

Simmering with tension and fraught with tales of failed friendship and broken relationships, this is a fantastic summer read.

—— My Weekly

Satisfyingly full of suspense with engaging characters

—— The People

A thrilling new novel about friendship, trust and the thin line that often occurs between what is perceived as morally right and wrong . . . another page-turning, addictive read

—— Black Hair Magazine

Gripping stuff

—— S Magazine

A satisfying page-turner

—— Closer

Page turner

—— Pride Magazine

Gripping, twisty and written with Koomson’s trademark brilliance, this is pure class

—— Heat

A real page turner

—— Life has a funny was of sneaking up on you blog

Love, loss, new beginnings and saying goodbye, it's all in here. A moving read

—— Frankie Graddon , Pool

A terrific novel.

—— John Boyne , Irish Independent

[Segal's] descriptions are spare and unerring; everyday family interactions are observed warmly and yet with precision

—— Alice O’Keeffe , Guardian

Evans' writing is like water; her sentences ebb and flow and change course, mirroring the Thames as it wends its way in and around the characters' lives

—— Katy Thompsett , Refinery29, **Books of the Year**

A masterpiece of modern living

—— Kerry Fowler , Sainsbury's Magazine

An amazing book full of wisdom and empathy

—— Elif Shafak , Week

An immersive look into friendship, parenthood, sex, and grief - as well as the fragility of love. It is told with such detail, you're left wanting more

—— Independent

Beautifully written and observed

—— Tom Chivers , Geographical

Evans is extraordinarily good on the minutiae of grief, family, and the fragility of love

—— i

a lyrical portrait of modern London

—— Sunday Times
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