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The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture
By Glen Weldon. 2016
A witty, intelligent cultural history from NPR book critic Glen Weldon explains Batman's rises and falls throughout the ages--and what…
his story tells us about ourselves.Since his creation, Batman has been many things: a two-fisted detective; a planet-hopping gadabout; a campy Pop-art sensation; a pointy-eared master spy; and a grim and gritty ninja of the urban night. For more than three quarters of a century, he has cycled from a figure of darkness to one of lightness and back again; he's a bat-shaped Rorschach inkblot who takes on the various meanings our changing culture projects onto him. How we perceive Batman's character, whether he's delivering dire threats in a raspy Christian Bale growl or trading blithely homoerotic double-entendres with partner Robin on the comics page, speaks to who we are and how we wish to be seen by the world. It's this endlessly mutable quality that has made him so enduring. And it's Batman's fundamental nerdiness--his gadgets, his obsession, his oath, even his lack of superpowers--that uniquely resonates with his fans who feel a fiercely protective love for the character. Today, fueled by the internet, that breed of passion for elements of popular culture is everywhere. Which is what makes Batman the perfect lens through which to understand geek culture, its current popularity, and social significance. In The Caped Crusade, with humor and insight, Glen Weldon, book critic for NPR and author of Superman: The Unauthorized Biography, lays out Batman's seventy-eight-year cultural history and shows how he has helped make us who we are today and why his legacy remains so strong.HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 1: Peter and the Wolf
By Nancy Temple Rodrigue. 2012
HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 1 Peter and the Wolf First novel in the Hidden Mickey Adventures series (following Hidden Mickey 4:…
Wolf! Happily Ever After?). The author of the acclaimed Hidden Mickey series continues the saga with a new generation of clue solvers. Readers will enjoy more adventure & mystery about Walt Disney and Disneyland, written for Adults, Teens, & Tweens (age 9 & up). Flesch-Kincaid Grade 4.9 - Flesch Reading Ease 81.2 WHAT'S MORE EXCITING THAN A FAMILY DAY AT DISNEYLAND? Ditching their family, Peter Brentwood and his younger brother stumble upon a letter from the Master Storyteller himself, Walt Disney. Following a clue in the letter they are immediately caught up in what they thought was an innocently fun treasure hunt. SOMEONE ELSE DISCOVERS THEIR HUNT FOR HIDDEN TREASURE. The quest takes a serious turn when someone in a trusted position begins tracking their every move, hungering for the treasure for himself. WILL LONG-HELD SECRETS BE FORCIBLY REVEALED? The secrets Lance and Kimberly Brentwood have closely guarded could rip their family apart if compromised. At stake is something they hold very dear: Walt's Legacy. WATCH AS THIS YOUNGER GENERATION OF TREASURE HUNTERS GRAPPLE WITH AN IMPOSING AND FEARSOME MENACE Wolf, their friend and protector steps in, but is it too little, too late? Uncover secrets of Disneyland and the Disney Studios in Burbank as we watch the drama unfold. YOU WILL NEVER LOOK AT DISNEYLAND THE SAME AGAIN! The story continues with... HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 2: Peter and the Missing Mansion Another "E-Ticket" ride through Disney's history. Want to go on your own 'E-Ticket' adventure? Next time you visit a Disney Park you can play in Quests like Adam & Lance by bringing with you a copy of HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disneyland - HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disney California Adventure, and for our east coast Fans: HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in WDW Magic Kingdom (or download one to your mobile device).HIDDEN MICKEY 3: Wolf! The Legend of Tom Sawyer’s Island
By Nancy Temple Rodrigue. 2011
HIDDEN MICKEY 3 Wolf! The Legend of Tom Sawyer's Island Volume 3 in a series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt…
Disney and Disneyland written for Adults, Teens, & Tweens (age 10 & up). Flesch-Kincaid Grade 5.0 - Flesch Reading Ease 81.4 WOULD YOU TO BREECH THE FABRIC OF TIME TO SAVE WALT'S LEGACY? How far would you be willing to go to save your life--as well as the potential future of your boss, Walt Disney? Would you put your life in the hands of a mysterious security guard named Wolf who seems to have uncanny abilities that reach far beyond the realms of logic? Wolf has dedicated his life to guarding his boss Walt Disney. Little did he know how far-reaching that dedication would extend. WOLF TIRELESSLY TRIES TO STOP A MALICIOUS VILLAIN Dr. Claude Houser, a doctor and scientist employed by Walt Disney, finds his life and Walt's future threatened by an unknown blackmailer. Wolf sends Disneyland cast member Wals Davis to aid the doctor and a damsel in distress. Wals now finds himself in a bizarre--yet strangely familiar--setting where time moves differently and things that occur in the present seem to have a profound effect on things that happen in the past. WILL THEY RETURN HOME OR BE STUCK IN THE VORTEX OF TIME? It will take all of Wolf's cunning to bring three vastly different people back through the swirling vortex of time. This story continues with... HIDDEN MICKEY 4 Wolf!: Happily Ever After? Another "E-Ticket" ride through Disney's history. Want to go on your own 'E-Ticket' adventure? Next time you visit a Disney Park you can play in Quests like Adam & Lance by bringing with you a copy of HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disneyland - HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disney California Adventure, or for our east coast Fans: HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in WDW Magic Kingdom (or download one to your mobile device).HIDDEN MICKEY 4: Wolf! Happily Ever After?
By Nancy Temple Rodrigue. 2011
HIDDEN MICKEY 4 Wolf! Happily Ever After? Volume 4 in a series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt Disney and Disneyland…
written for Adults, Teens, & Tweens (age 10 & up). Flesch-Kincaid Grade 5.6 - Flesch Reading Ease 79.1 WOLF CROSSES PATHS WITH MERLIN AS HE ATTEMPTS TO RETURN THE RED DIAMOND TO IT'S RIGHTFUL OWNER Wolf, the mysterious Disneyland security guard and Guardian of Walt Disney, now armed with a 21st century helper and a beautiful damsel lost in the stream of time, finds himself traveling back and forth through history as he attempts to get the enchanted princess, Briar Rose, back home to her own castle and time. AN EVIL FORCE PUTS EVERYTHING INTO GAINING CONTROL OVER THAT GEM Once loved by the powerful Merlin, his apprentice Nimue shows her true colors by betraying him--and all who come close to her--as she attempts to regain control of the powerful pendant. Her name might change through the eons, but her heart of evil stays the same. WOLF STRUGGLES TO RESIST THE POWERFUL FORCES OF DARKNESS Trying to keep his home base of Disneyland as his touchstone, Wolf struggles against the powers of darkness. When it finally overtakes him, his friend Wals must figure out a way to break through the fabric of time to bring back help. Returning to the Guardian's distant past, Wals must convince Wolf's warrior brother Mato to trust him and step into the swirling vortex that destroyed his brother's life. CAN THEY UNITE TO SAVE WALT & DISNEYLAND? Join the heroes--past and present--as they unite for one last stand against the forces of evil in a showdown that will rock the very foundations on which Disneyland was built. Will it end... Happily Ever After? The story continues with a new generation of clue solvers... HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 1: Peter and the Wolf Another "E-Ticket" ride through Disney's history. Want to go on your own 'E-Ticket' adventure? Next time you visit a Disney Park you can run in Quests like Adam & Lance by bringing with you a copy of HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disneyland - HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disney California Adventure, or for our east coast Fans: HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in WDW Magic Kingdom (or download one to your mobile device).HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 4: Revenge of the Wolf
By Nancy Temple Rodrigue. 2015
HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 4 Revenge of the Wolf Volume 4 in a series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt Disney and…
Disneyland written for Adults, Teens, & Tweens (age 9 & up). Flesch-Kincaid Grade 3.5 - Flesch Reading Ease 86.8 TWO ADVERSARIES FINALLY FACE OFF Unwillingly hurled into the past, Wolf must confront the mysterious Omah in a final showdown. What will they do when secrets are revealed? Will they be able to put the past behind them and work together? PETER MUST GO TO NEW HEIGHTS TO FOLLOW THE CLUES Armed with a new set of clues, Peter and Catie find themselves in parts of Disneyland they never expected to see. Wolf is still missing. Can Adam and Beth help see them to safety without Wolf? WHO REALLY WROTE THE CLUES? An old enemy is back. Determined to retrieve a cherished possession that has been lost for eons, she will stop at nothing to get it back--even if it means sacrificing Peter. NOW IS THE TIME FOR REVENGE Disneyland--then and now--is the backdrop for this exciting tale of revenge as the past and the present come crashing together. Revenge of the Wolf fits more pieces of the puzzle together as our friends and heroes fight to protect Walt Disney's legacy--and each other. The story continues with... HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 5: When You Wish Another "E-Ticket" ride through Disney's history. Want to go on your own 'E-Ticket' adventure? Next time you visit a Disney Park you can play in Quests like Adam & Lance by bringing with you a copy of HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disneyland - HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disney California Adventure, and for our east coast Fans: HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in WDW Magic Kingdom (or download one to your mobile device).HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 2: Peter and the Missing Mansion
By Nancy Temple Rodrigue. 2013
HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 2 Peter and the Missing Mansion Volume 2 in a series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt Disney…
and Disneyland written for Adults, Teens, & Tweens (age 9 & up). Flesch-Kincaid Grade 4.3 - Flesch Reading Ease 84.5 THINGS SEEM FAMILIAR--BUT SOMETHING IS HORRIBLY WRONG Alone and scared, Peter finds himself in the distant past and in front of a hauntingly-familiar mansion. PETER'S VISIT TAKES A DEADLY TURN As Peter gets to know the inhabitants of this mansion, people aren't as he thought. The man he thought was an innocent victim is now an adversary. Is there more to the story than he ever imagined? CAN WOLF AND LANCE RESCUE PETER IN TIME? Stairways to nowhere and hidden passageways, lit only by candles, might lead Lance to his son. Can he trust the one who might not be as she seems? Is the Disney legend just a story--or is it the truth? ONE FALSE STEP ALTERS THE DISNEYLAND WE ALL KNOW On their return, the three travelers find they are the only ones who realize something has gone wrong at Disneyland. It is up to them to protect Walt Disney's legacy. CAN THEY FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG--AND CORRECT IT? The story continues with... HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 3: The Mermaid's Tale Another "E-Ticket" ride through Disney's history. Want to go on your own 'E-Ticket' adventure? Next time you visit a Disney Park you can play in Quests like Adam & Lance by bringing with you a copy of HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disneyland - HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disney California Adventure, and for our east coast Fans: HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in WDW Magic Kingdom (or download one to your mobile device).HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 5: When You Wish
By Nancy Temple Rodrigue. 2016
HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 5 When You Wish Volume 5 in a series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt Disney and Disneyland…
written for Adults, Teens, & Tweens (age 9 & up). Flesch-Kincaid Grade 4.1 - Flesch Reading Ease 83.6 A FAMILY IN CRISIS When tragedy strikes, Adam and Beth find it more and more difficult to believe in miracles. Will their family ever be whole again? CAN A MAN FROM THE PAST REALLY HELP A BOY IN THE FUTURE? Peter, still hurt and angry by the treatment he received at the hands of Nimue, is handed a special message. It is from Walt Disney himself. Can Peter get back his love for Disneyland and fulfill his special Hidden Mickey quest? Or will the absence of his partner be too much for him? EXTORTION. BLACKMAIL. A FORBIDDEN GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE. Walt exacts a promise from Wolf in exchange for his help. Wolf vowed never to take him on such a dangerous journey. Who will win this ultimate battle of wills? NOW IS THE TIME TO WISH! Disneyland--now and in the future--is the backdrop for this exciting tale of hopes, dreams, and discovery. When You Wish unites families and friends as they work together to keep the Disney magic alive--both for themselves and for Walt's legacy. Another "E-Ticket" ride through Disney's history. Want to go on your own 'E-Ticket' adventure? Next time you visit a Disney Park you can play in Quests like Adam & Lance by bringing with you a copy of HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disneyland - HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disney California Adventure, and for our east coast Fans: HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in WDW Magic Kingdom (or download one to your mobile device).HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 3: The Mermaid's Tale
By Nancy Temple Rodrigue. 2014
HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 3 The Mermaid's Tale Volume 3 in a series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt Disney and Disneyland…
written for Adults, Teens, & Tweens (age 9 & up). Flesch-Kincaid Grade 3.6 - Flesch Reading Ease 86 A FORGOTTEN TREASURE REVEALS A MISSING PUZZLE PIECE Going through family mementos in their grandmother s attic, twins Alex and Catie Michaels, along with Peter Brentwood, stumble on a familiar grey capsule and pictures of Margaret Michaels past. GRANDMA MARGARET WAS A MERMAID? Thrilled to learn she was a Disneyland Submarine Lagoon Mermaid in 1965, they suddenly connect the missing link to the beautiful mermaid Peter and Catie found in the Haunted Mansion attic. A MYSTERIOUS WOMAN HAS TO PROVE HERSELF Given a simple assignment by her boss, Walt Disney, Omah was unable to complete it and sent away in disgrace. Decades later she s still trying to make it right, but three kids are in the way. HER DEDICATION TURNS FANATICAL Disneyland then and now is the backdrop of this exciting Mermaid s Tale. Pieces of the puzzle get closer as three diverse groups are woven together in the past and the present all of them determined to protect Walt Disney's legacy. ALL 3 COLLIDE AS THE MERMAID'S TALE CONTINUES... The story continues with... HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 4: Revenge of the Wolf Another "E-Ticket" ride through Disney's history. Want to go on your own 'E-Ticket' adventure? Next time you visit a Disney Park you can play in Quests like Adam & Lance by bringing with you a copy of HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disneyland - HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in Disney California Adventure, and for our east coast Fans: HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES in WDW Magic Kingdom (or download one to your mobile device).How to be Nowhere
By Tim MacGabhann. 2020
Life is finally on the right track for reporter and recovering addict Andrew: he is slowly coming to terms with…
the murder of his photographer boyfriend Carlos, pursuing sobriety and building a new home with a new partner. Andrew has almost forgotten about the story that ruined his life - but that story hasn't forgotten about him, and a series of deadly threats forces him into helping the very man whose gang murdered his boyfriend and left him homeless.A literary take on the classic chase movie, HOW TO BE NOWHERE is the sequel to Tim MacGabhann's genre-busting and critically-acclaimed debut CALL HIM MINE, and a blistering thrill-ride deep into the fog of Central America's murky present and tragic future.Rescue Me: An uplifting romantic comedy perfect for dog-lovers
By Sarra Manning. 2021
Margot doesn't have time for love.Will is afraid to love.And neither of them are expecting to fall in love with…
Blossom: a gentle Staffy with a tragic past, a belly made for rubbing and a head the size of a football.After their first meeting at the rescue centre, both Margot and Will want to adopt Blossom so reluctantly agree to share custody. But Will's obsession for micro-managing and clear-cut boundaries and Margot's need to smother Blossom with affection, means that soon they have a very confused and badly behaved dog on their hands.Can they put their differences aside to become successful "co-pawrents" and maybe even friends? And meanwhile, does Blossom have plans of her own?The Slaughterman's Daughter: Winner of the Wingate Prize 2021
By Yaniv Iczkovits. 2020
A SUNDAY TIMES MUST READS PICK"Boundless imagination and a vibrant style . . . a heroine of unforgettable grit" DAVID…
GROSSMAN"A story of great beauty and surprise" GARY SHTEYNGARTThe townsfolk of Motal, an isolated, godforsaken town in the Pale of Settlement, are shocked when Fanny Keismann - devoted wife, mother of five, and celebrated cheese-maker - leaves her home at two hours past midnight and vanishes into the night.True, the husbands of Motal have been vanishing for years, but a wife and mother? Whoever heard of such a thing. What on earth possessed her?Could it have anything to do with Fanny's missing brother-in-law, who left her sister almost a year ago and ran away to Minsk, abandoning their family to destitution and despair?Or could Fanny have been lured away by Zizek Breshov, the mysterious ferryman on the Yaselda river, who, in a strange twist of events, seems to have disappeared on the same night?Surely there can be no link between Fanny and the peculiar roadside murder on the way to Telekhany, which has left Colonel Piotr Novak, head of the Russian secret police, scratching his head. Surely a crime like that could have nothing to do with Fanny Keismann, however the people of Motal might mutter about her reputation as a vilde chaya, a wild animal . . .Surely not.Translated from the Hebrew by Orr ScharfIguana Boy vs. The 30 Second Thief: Book 2 (Iguana Boy #2)
By James Bishop. 2018
One boy. One disappointing superpower. Can Dylan and his bunch of hyper iguanas make a lasting impression on the superhero…
collective, run by Ron Strongman, or will he be laughed out of town?He might have the lamest superpower ever but Dylan, AKA Iguana Boy, has proven himself worthy enough to be accepted into the superhero collective. Dylan is excited and his iguanas are hyper. Recipe for success, RIGHT?Iguana Boy and his team of iguanas eagerly await their orders to SAVE THE WORLD. But CEO of the Superhero Collective Ron Strongman doesn't have time for lowly superheroes. Dylan will have to find his own way to get to the top, or else he will be saving silly cats from trees FOREVER. When a new villain is causing chaos across London, Dylan can't believe his luck... this is his chance. Can Iguana Boy bring Repeat Offender to justice ... In 30 seconds or less!Cicada
By Shaun Tan. 2018
A stunning picture book for anyone who has ever felt unappreciated, from Shaun Tan, Academy Award winner and winner of…
the Kate Greenaway Medal 2020. Cicada work in tall building.Data entry clerk. Seventeen year.No sick day. No mistake.Tok Tok Tok!Cicada works in an office, dutifully working day after day for unappreciative bosses and being bullied by his co-workers. But one day, something truly extraordinary happens . . . A story for anyone who has ever felt unappreciated, overlooked or overworked but dreams of magic, from Australia's most acclaimed picture book creator, and first BAME winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal. This is Shaun Tan's first author-illustrator book in five years, and his most important and moving fable since The Arrival.Bee a Good Human: A Pollinators' Guide to a Better Life
By Ali Beckman. 2021
Combining inspiration, humor, and entomology, Instagram artist Ali Beckman (@SoFlyTaxidermy) is the internet's go-to gal for bug-related content that makes…
you a happier human. Beckman's witty comics, which use actual insects in everyday situations, illustrate the importance of pollinators as well as body positivity and mental health awareness. Using creatures that are donated, purchased, or found dead to create amusing cartoons, Bee a Good Human highlights the integral role of insects in our environment while also demonstrating we all have a part to play in this world. Beyond bugs, Beckman's art speaks to the value of self-love as she shares a narrative of growth and finding confidence within.Bee a Good Human features the best of Beckman's @SoFlyTaxidermy Instagram art. With 106 color illustrations, many of which have never appeared online, this gift of a book will make you consider the bigger picture—and laugh a little too.The Nanny and the Iceberg: A Novel
By Ariel Dorfman. 1999
Conceived the night of Che Guevara's burial in 1967, Gabriel McKenzie is inextricably bound up in the history and politics…
of his native Chile. Twenty-four years on, and still a virgin, Gabriel returns from Manhattan exile to confront his legacy: a Don Juan father and a country preparing for the five-hundredth anniversary of America's "discovery." Into Gabriel's quest for manhood and identity enter one iceberg, a faithful if eccentric nanny, and a whole host of fantastical characters.Ocean Child
By Tamara McKinley. 2013
1920. Having disobeyed the wishes of her aristocratic family, Lulu Pearson, a young and talented Tasmanian sculptress, finds herself alone…
in London in the wake of the Great War. The future is looking bright until, on the eve of her first exhibition, Lulu learns she has inherited a racing colt called Ocean Child from a mysterious benefactor, and she must return to her homeland to claim him. Baffled by the news, Lulu boards a ship to Tasmania to uncover the truth behind the strange bequest, but it seems a welcome return is more than she can hope for. Unbeknownst to Lulu, more than a few fortunes ride on Ocean Child's success - it seems everyone from her estranged mother to the stable hands has a part to play, and an interest in keeping the family secrets buried.Dreamscapes
By Tamara McKinley. 2005
If you love Lesley Pearse, you're sure to fall for Tamara McKinley!Catriona was born into the world of show business,…
having made her first appearance on stage in her father's arms when she was only minutes old. And although life has never been easy for Catriona, it seems she's finally made her big break: her unique voice has captured the attention of a Sydney opera company, and the only place to go is up. But when scandalous secrets from her teenage years threaten to destroy everything she's worked so hard to achieve, she learns she will have to fight to keep her rightful place at the top.The Honeymoon Hotel: escape with this perfect happily-ever-after romcom
By Hester Browne. 2014
'Deliciously addictive, feel-good comedy - perfect for lazy days on the beach' CosmopolitanRosie, events manager for the Bonneville Hotel in…
Mayfair, is reclaiming some of its old cachet as a chic retro-glam wedding venue. While her weddings are the ultimate in romance, Rosie herself isn't - she's too focused on the details to even entertain the thought of her own love life. But when she meets the hotel owner's eccentric son Joe, she discovers a rival whose predilection for the unconventional could threaten everything she holds dear . . . A happily-ever-after romance, perfect for curling up with on long winter nights. READERS LOVE HESTER BROWNE'I love Hester Browne' *****'A delighful picture of finding love when you least expect it' *****'I laughed and cried and loved every word' *****'The perfect read to cosy up with' *****Firestorm
By Tamara McKinley. 2013
If you love Lesley Pearse, you're sure to fall for Tamara McKinley. A tale of hardship, hidden identities and our…
shared struggle to survive. Becky Jackson's family has been managing the hospital in far-flung Morgan's Reach for three generations. When Becky's husband is tragically lost at war, she and her young son Danny must leave the city and return to her birthplace to start over. But for all its charm, Morgan's Reach is a divided community, where blood is thicker than water and grudges run deep. So when a mysterious stranger appears outside the town and Danny begins to act strangely, it is not only Becky's newfound stability that's threatened. And what of the fact that there's not been a drop of rain in over three years? The risk of wildfire looms large and the hospital is already pushed to breaking point. A single spark could level the area in minutes - burning away everything for which the town has worked so hard; exposing the secrets they've fought to keep so close.The Spider (The UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY Series, Book 2)
By Leo Carew. 2019
After the critically acclaimed epic fantasy THE WOLF comes THE SPIDER, book two in Leo Carew's UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY…
seriesA battle has been won, but the war still wages on . . .Roper, the Black Lord of the northern people, may have vanquished the Suthern army at the Battle of Harstathur. But the greatest threat to his people lies in the hands of more shadowy forces.In the south, the disgraced Bellamus bides his time. Learning that the young Lord Roper is planning to invade the southern lands, Bellamus conspires with his Queen to unleash a weapon so deadly it could wipe out Roper's people altogether.And at a time when Roper needs his friends more than ever, treachery from within puts the lives of those he loves in mortal danger . . .WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE BREATHTAKING WORK OF LEO CAREW:'The next George RR Martin' - Mail on Sunday'Imagine Game of Thrones rewritten by John le Carré . . . A marvellously accomplished debut' - Guardian'A work of extraordinary imagination and perhaps the most captivating first novel I've ever read' - Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards