Havel’s diagnosis of political pathologies has a special resonance in the age of Trump

Few voices did more to undermine the foundations of the Berlin Wall and the entire edifice of Soviet-imposed totalitarianism than this shy bourgeois, this sly, reticent, playwright and essayist

In gentle, ironic but scathing prose, Havel's The Power of the Powerless exposed the lies and cowardice that made possible the communist grip on power

In his now iconic 1978 essay, which circulated in underground editions in Czechoslovakia and was smuggled to other Warsaw Pact countries and to the West, Havel foresaw that the opposition could eventually prevail against the totalitarian state

Surrounded by impenetrable forests, it recreates the stifling atmosphere of a dying community. This is a mature, compassionate novel.

A story about families, about friendship and loyalty, inequality, female vulnerability, male back-slapping, and parenthood ... No person's story is too little to be told, Backman includes them all. A novel with a big heart

A kind of problem play that moves extremely skilfully near the melodramatic without derailing. Its originality is substantial and the book credibly conveys the dual faces of everyday life. An impressive novel, like no other

Friday Night Lights for Swedes

As popular Swedish exports go, Backman is up there with ABBA and Stieg Larsson.

Backman is a masterful writer, his characters familiar yet distinct, flawed yet heroic. . . There are scenes that bring tears, scenes of gut-wrenching despair, and moments of sly humor. . .Like Friday Night Lights, this is about more than youth sports; it's part coming-of-age novel, part study of moral failure, and finally a chronicle of groupthink in which an unlikely hero steps forward to save more than one person from self-destruction. A thoroughly empathetic examination of the fragile human spirit, Backman's latest will resonate a long time.

Jack of Hearts' is a confidently queer story that breaks away from the stereotypes to create refreshing and relatable characters

The book I needed growing up as an isolated gay teen in a straight boy's world

A joyously sex positive exploration through teenage life with an unashamedly unapologetic queer hero

Dispenses sex advice that could be vital to young adult readers

Tackles subjects that many would rather bury and pretend teens don't want (or need) to talk about

A sex-positive and thoughtful romp with humour and heart

A bold, inclusive exploration of teen sexuality that, propelled by Jack's brazen voice, never feels preachy

Rosen (The Memory Wall) creates memorable protagonists and brings a fresh, frank voice to his YA debut

This book is filth.

It tells stories of diversity, queerness, sexuality, gender, and is very sex positive. It's the book about high school that gives you the sex ed class desperately lacking from high school education.

Jack of Hearts is the book I needed growing up as an isolated gay teen in a straight boy's world.

Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) is a joyously sex positive exploration through teenage life with an unashamedly unapologetic queer hero and a page turningly sinister twist. Not only did the story keep me hooked, but it served as an inclusive guide to navigating the world of modern day sex as an adolescent. My horny teenage self would have loved this book, and I'm sure it would have helped him too.'

A well-crafted and riveting thriller populated by an engaging cast of characters. If this is what teenagers are like today, I want to go back to school!

Unapologetically honest, refreshingly bold and gloriously celebratory, Jack of Hearts tackles subjects that many would rather bury and pretend teens don't want (or need) to talk about.

Never before have I seen a representation of my sexuality and identity so holistic, so genuine, and yet so educational and down to earth at the same time.

It looks like Mark Haddon is about to have a great big success all over again

Brilliantly readable… Comic and bittersweet

A closely observed domestic drama…

Characteristically original, deftly observed...

A beautifully orchestrated novel that gently questions how we define success

[Haddon] shows a knack for portraying family dynamics…

Mark Haddon proves himself a master of the domestic drama

Gripping drama