by Patrick deWitt
Paperback, £9.99
Patrick deWitt’s novels belong to a world of their own – mannered, somewhat stylised, an internal logic that is revealed only when necessary. They are all sharp dialogue, dry humour, absurdity, and human drama. A bit like Wes Anderson in novel form, but without the massive self-indulgence. And they are all the better for it.
The Librarianist is the tale of Bob Comet, retired librarian, a solitary man who could be happier, and the life that made him solitary and not so happy. Which turns out to be a lot more interesting that you would think. Funny, bittersweet, unforgettable, The Librarianist is pure storytelling brilliance: the best sort of book – a quiet one that gets under your skin and does not let go until its perfect final moment.