Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte review – ‘like being inside the internet’
A questionable male feminist, a closet sadist and a disaffected Twitter addict populate this acerbic story collection that captures the spirit of our doomscrolling age
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney audiobook review – modern love and loss
The stark differences between two brothers are thrown into relief as they navigate grief in this moving novel from the Normal People author
Niall Williams: ‘When I first read Chekhov, I thought: “He’s not so great”’
The Irish author on Enid Blyton at bedtimes, discovering Dickens, and the brilliance of Edna O’Brien
You Must Remember This by Sean Wilson review – a beautiful, terrifying portrait of dementia
This short novel is a valuable, eye-opening account of dementia, blurring the lines between one woman’s past and present
The Lamb by Lucy Rose review – cannibalism comes to Cumbria
A mother and daughter live in isolation in this dark fairytale about family secrets and the passage of adolescence
The City Changes Its Face by Eimear McBride review – brilliantly rule-breaking fiction
The couple from The Lesser Bohemians return in this innovative tale of two lovers and of London, in all its sadness and grunginess and grandeur
Greatest of All Time by Alex Allison review – desire on the football pitch
The story of a secret relationship between two Premier League teammates explores power and homophobia
Deviants by Santanu Bhattacharya review – gay life in India
An epic tale of love across three generations explores changing attitudes towards sexuality in India
‘Am I a Cyclopian monster?’ How masked writer Uketsu went from asparagus videos to literary sensation
He gained fame in Japan posting surreal videos of meat, veg and even ears. Then he tried writing – and soon had three bestsellers in the Top 10. As one now reaches the English-speaking world, we meet the faceless phenomenon
Dealing With the Dead by Alain Mabanckou review – surreal murder mystery in Congo-Brazzaville
A picaresque tale blends ghosts and ghouls with political satire and a scathing attack on corruption
In brief: Missing Persons; Compendium of the Occult; Under the Eye of the Big Bird – review
A very personal view of an Irish scandal; a comprehensive survey of mystical beliefs; and a dystopian sci-fi novel where humanity is on the brink
The best new novelists for 2025
Welcome to our annual selection of the year’s finest debut novels. We have a proven track record in picking authors that go on to be loved by readers and win awards … from Douglas Stuart and Sally Rooney to Caleb Azumah Nelson and Bonnie Garmus. Here are 2025’s gems
Gill Hornby: ‘Jane Austen created the six best novels in the English language’
The writer on her third novel, Miss Austen, being turned into a TV drama, what we get wrong about the much-loved author – and why she would never write a book with her husband, Robert Harris
Washed-up Brits, local lowlifes and a Kray twin’s lighter: noir novel Spanish Beauty shines fond light on Benidorm
Recently published in English for the first time, Esther García Llovet’s story pays tribute to the resort regarded by many as ‘the worst place in Spain’
Author Tony Tulathimutte: ‘The great millennial theme? Resentment’
His short story The Feminist went viral. Now the writer is back with more satirical snapshots of Gen Y. Over a bottle of bourbon in his Brooklyn apartment, he talks about dating, politics and rejection