King of the Badgers

Philip Hensher is a columnist for the Independent, arts critic for the Spectator and a Granta Best of Young British novelist. He has written six novels, including The Mulberry Empire and the Booker-shortlisted The Northern Clemency, and one collection of short stories. He lives in South London and Geneva.

‘Hensher at the height of his powers…the sort of thing George Eliot would have written if she was interested in gay orgies and abducted chavs’ Sunday Times‘An extraordinary, great pudding of a novel which confirms Philip Hensher as one of the most entertaining writers of Britain today.’ Ross Gilfillan, Daily Mail‘Each character in this astute, complex and enjoyable novel imposes him or herself with some sort of reality, even those we only glimpse through their kitchen windows.’ Lucy Daniel, Daily Telegraph‘Wonderfully readable.’ Andrew Taylor, Independent‘Often novelists write worst when they seem to be enjoying themselves most. With Hensher it is the opposite. His enjoyment in his own cleverness and fluency is infectious.’ Sunday Telegraph‘As ever, one is struck, and seduced, by a coruscating intelligence, that manifests itself in dozens of literary allusions waiting to be uncombed …and hundreds of individual sentences burnished up to the max.’ Independent on Sunday‘Hensher has established himself with “The Mulberry Empire” and “The Northern Clemency” as one of our most ambitious novelists. His ear for dialogue, sharp sense of the absurd and appreciation of human self-delusion recall Kingsley Amis.’ Guardian‘Strong, sly, and also moving’ A.S.Byatt Books of the Year, TLS‘Page by page, it is a powerfully delightful book, rich in pathos and drama, rowdy with life’ Edmund Gordon, TLS‘Philip Hensher’s talent was evident on every page of ‘King of the Badgers’’ Leo Robson, NS, Books of the Year