Author:David Nobbs
THE COMPLETE PRATT compiles the first three volumes of the misadventures of Henry Pratt, beginning with a brilliantly funny evocation of a Yorkshire boyhood in SECOND FROM LAST IN THE SACK RACE; Henry's first job is as a cub reporter on the Thurmarsh Evening Argus, told in PRATT OF THE ARGUS, hailed by Sue Townsend as 'very funny'. Finally, in THE CUCUMBER MAN, Henry decides to take on a new role and a new challenge - working for the Cucumber Marketing Board in Leeds.
Stumbling through the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties, Henry accumulates marriages and children along the way and THE COMPLETE PRATT is a touching and hilarious ride through a divided Britain...
Triumphant, compelling and deeply moving…the finest fictional treatment of Ancient Rome in the English language. They are distinguished by the mastery of the sources, sympathetic imagination, political intelligence and narrative skill…It’s a wonderful, dramatic, story, wonderfully told
—— Scotsman , Allan MassieRobert Harris’s Cicero trilogy ends in grand style…the culmination of 12 years work and a remarkable literary achievement
—— ObserverThe book works…more than that; at times it sings… Thrillers are supposed to thrill, but few really do raise your heart rate and short-circuit your critical faculties…Exhilarating…This trilogy deserves the highest compliment that can be paid to a work of historical fiction
—— The TimesRobert Harris completes his wonderful trilogy based on the life of Cicero. I haven’t enjoyed Roman history more since Robert Graves’s I, Claudius
—— Anthony Horowitz , Guardian, Book of the YearHarris’s fascination with politics galvanises his impressive knowledgeableness into compulsive fiction
—— Peter Kemp , The Sunday Times, Books of the YearHarris is brilliant at the political then-as-now, giving Caesar with a hint of Blair – and also of Thatcher
—— Peter Stothard , SpectatorStaying close to the sources, Harris picks his way masterfully through Cicero’s personal and political dilemmas…superb…does full justice to one of Rome’s most interesting complex and humane statesmen, whose pragmatic political treatises proved so influential during the renaissance and enlightenment
—— Evening StandardHarris skilfully navigates these fraught years in Cicero’s life … Dictator triumphs
—— The New StatemanA superior historical thriller
—— Fiona Wilson , The Times, Books of the YearHarris’ version of Cicero is a tremendous creation
—— Independent[Dictator's] gripping dramas and powerful themes - the fragility of democracy and the fallibility of human beings among them - richly illuminate the conflicts of its era and our own
—— Publishers WeeklySuperb…confirms Harris’s undisputed place as our leading master of both the historical and contemporary thriller
—— Daily MailHarris is a masterful storyteller. I’m currently experiencing that terrible phase of cold turkey after finishing something superb
—— Alastair Moffat , HeraldContemporary echoes abound in this endlessly fascinating exploration of power struggles
—— Craig Brown , Mail on Sunday, Books of the YearTriumphant
—— Sunday TimesA masterful story of political intrigue…a fascinating and absorbing novel
—— Financial TimesRobert Harris is an incomparable storyteller... It's a brutal tale of murder and mayhem and a tour de force of research and imagination...
—— The ExpressI’m a big fan of Robert Harris so I’d like to read his latest, Dictator… Robert is very good at politics and evoking a period
—— Melvyn Bragg , Good Housekeeping, Books of the YearSinuous, clever and compelling…A fitting end to a magnificent trilogy
—— MetroA riveting read
—— Sunday ExpressRobert Harris brings his Cicero trilogy to a triumphant, compelling and deeply moving conclusion…The three novels are surely the finest fictional treatment of Ancient Rome in the English language…distinguished by a mastery of the sources, sympathetic imagination, political intelligence and narrative skill
—— Yorkshire PostHarris’ Cicero is a bit special – a mix of genius and craft, kindness and pomposity, ambition and principle
—— Daily Mail (Scotland)Penetrating and utterly compelling
—— Claire Allfree , Metro, Books of the YearIn Dictator, Robert Harris brings his trilogy on Cicero to a triumphant end. As one who has himself written novels set in the last years of the Roman republic and the first century of empire, I am happy to say that Harris reigns supreme. His Cicero is magnificent; couldn’t conceivably be done better
—— Alan Massie , Spectator, Books of the YearBaume’s writing is poetic, delicate and inventive … and despite the undertow of humour, there’s not one whiff of sentimentality – you’re left with the sadness and chronic fearfulness of the truly lonely
—— The Times[A] skilful debut … lyrical and impressive.
—— Literary ReviewAn extraordinarily fresh style …this is an atmospheric novel …Baume is undoubtedly an exceptional new talent.
—— The PhoenixAmbitious.
—— Sunday TimesThere is a lovely, lilting cadence to the novel… Stylishly done…. Winterson manages against the odds to keep us gripped.
—— Sarah Crown , GuardianWinterson is on sparkling form in this highly intelligent and daringly imaginative reworking of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale... Witty, clever and bold.
—— Mail on SundayWinterson is incapable of being dull, and The Gap Of Time is a fitting addition to her uniquely inventive catalogue.
—— Ellis O'Harrison , Irish IndependentShe deftly captures all the magic and raw emotion of the original.
—— Irish Times