James by Percival Everett review – a gripping reimagining of Huckleberry Finn
Percival Everett’s gleeful reboot of Mark Twain puts the enslaved Jim centre stage in a horrifying, painful and funny novel
Head North by Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram review – northern mayors’ manifesto for hope
The pair’s study of the neglect of northern regions carries persuasive ideas for their renewal and a reminder that history favours the brave
Hagstone by Sinéad Gleeson review – art, solitude and the supernatural
An artist on a remote island turns her gaze to a mysterious group of women living off‑grid in a thought-provoking and sometimes poetic debut novel by an award-winning essayist
Dead Animals by Phoebe Stuckes review – a searing ‘sad girl’ tale
The award-winning poet’s debut novel is a barbed, brisk study of a woman’s suffering after an assault
In brief: The Husbands; The Book-Makers; Meetings With Moths – review
A witty multiverse romcom; chatty erudition about books and printing; and an illuminating exploration of the world of a nocturnal insect
White Rural Rage review: Clinton’s ‘deplorables’ jibe at book length
Study of red state resentments that power Trump neglects key factors that help endanger Democrats outside US cities
A Necessary Kindness by Juno Carey review – demystifying abortion: an insider’s account of its long and painful history
Eight years working in abortion provision led the author to make this frank and moving case for safeguarding reproductive freedoms – and ending the culture of secrecy and guilt
Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring by Brad Gooch review – from the subway to the gift shop
This new biography describes Haring as a nimble, spontaneous performer and an artist of endearing naivety who was nevertheless corrupted by his popularity
The Sleepwalkers by Scarlett Thomas review – fiendishly gripping
Dark sexual secrets and lies drive an ingenious and wickedly funny tale of meltdown on a Greek honeymoon
The best recent poetry – review roundup
A Year of Last Things by Michael Ondaatje; The Silence by Gillian Clarke; Joy in Service on Rue Tagore by Paul Muldoon; May Day by Jackie Kay; I Cannot Be Good Until You Say It by Sanah Ahsan; Grief’s Alphabet by Carrie Etter
The Ritual Effect by Michael Norton review – standing on ceremony
From Rafael Nadal’s ball-bouncing to families’ Christmas traditions, what purpose does ritualistic behaviour serve?
How to Knit a Human by Anna Jacobson review – a remarkable memoir of psychosis
After undergoing electroconvulsive treatment, the author powerfully documents how art helped her recover her memory, autonomy and sense of self
Another England by Caroline Lucas review – seeing green
A progressive vision of the country’s literary and cultural history from the trailblazing MP
Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan review – state-of-the-nation burlesque
This Dickensian yarn of a celebrity writer heading for a fall combines the bling of an airport bestseller with an insider’s grasp on high culture
Tell by Jonathan Buckley review – our need for narratives
A gardener’s super-rich boss has gone missing in this captivating interrogation of storytelling