Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell

One of our very favourite authors here at Book Stop,  Booker Prize nominated author David Mitchell has this time served up something quite different to his usual mind-bending metaphysical romps across space and time, with a wonderfully nostalgic and bittersweet tale of 1960s rock and roll.  Utopia Avenue form in 1967 and ride the tide of  social and sexual revolution to be on the verge of global success by late 1968.  On the way they encounter pretty much everyone in the business from John Lennon to Janis Joplin, David Bowie to Joni Mitchell, and for die-hard fans of the more familiar Mitchell genre there is also an intriguing metaphysical sub-plot referencing his earlier work and, in particular, the wonderful The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.  This book is a lot of fun, but also ultimately genuinely moving and, as always, Mitchell has much to say about life, the universe and everything.

Published by Sceptre; £20.00

By Simon, October 2020

by Sayaka Murata

Welcome to the weird and (occasionally) wonderful world of Keiko Furukura and her beloved Convenience Store.

Marginalised by ordinary society, and following a confusing and at times problematic childhood, Keiko finds it difficult to find her place in the modern world, until she stumbles accross the Convenience Store.  In this delightful fable of contemporary human existence, Keiko, with the guidance of the bizarre and repulsive Shiraha,  must make a choice – between her place as a cog in the global corporate machine ( “my hourly pay covered the basic requirement to condition my body so it was fit to take to work”) and the perhaps equally opressive social imperative created by others’ opinions and expectations.

A marvellous Japanese novel which will get you thinking.

Published by Granta; £8.99

The Western Wind

By Samantha Harvey

Samantha Harvey’s novel of a 15th Century Somerset village and an unanticipated death is an absolute treat.  

Following the investigations of the local vicar, John Reve, into the untimely demise of his friend Thomas Newman, this brooding, sombre novel set over 4 days in the lead up to Lent 1491 provides real insight into pre-Reformation rural England. 

As Harvey expertly explores the narrative in reverse, beginning with the events of Shrove Tuesday and working back to “the reveal” on the previous Saturday she also offers, through the story of the tormented and torn John Reve’s efforts to protect his flock, a fascinating and moving meditation on where lines are drawn between faith and superstition, belief in God and the Church, the “right” path and the good path.

Published by Vintage; £8.99