Jonathan Bastable – författare

Contemporary creative writers reflect on the past, present and future of the novelIn 2012-2013, a year-long conversation between writers took place at 17 literary festivals around the world, from Jaipur to Krasnoyarsk, and from Melbourne to Berlin. Distinguished novelists such as Irvine Welsh, Ahdaf Soueif and Ali Smith shared their thoughts on various aspects of contemporary literature – the challenges it faces and the directions it is taking. This book is in part an anthology of the best of those accounts and also an overview of the lively wide-ranging global debate that the authors’ views engendered among the many writers who took part. It adds up to an arresting and thought-provoking picture of the state of world literature today. Key FeaturesA powerful statement of the significance of literature in the modern world, and a call-to-arms for those who believe that fine writing is endangeredContributors include well-known contemporary novelists such as: China Mieville, Ahdaf Soueif, Kapka Kassabova, Irvine Welsh, Ali Smith and Kirsty GunnProvides an international perspective on the issues facing writers and writing in general, and the present-day novel in particularA new and valuable resource for academics and students, and a fascinating primer for a wider readership – for those who want to know how fiction functions & who like to get an insight into the thought processes of creative artists

Whether you want to explore how our Prime Ministers came to reside in No.10 Downing Street, read about the official mice-catching cats also dwelling there, learn about the rarely seen soft side of the Iron Lady, or discover how Sir Robert Peel invented the police, there is something for every enthusiast to dip into. "The Amazing and Extraordinary Facts series" presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure.

This is a fascinating collection of stories exploring the less well-trodden byways of Britain's long history of conflicts. From the Romans vs Britons to the war on terror, "Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: the British at War" uncovers the heroic, tragic and often peculiar facts behind some of the best-known battles in British history. Brief, accessible and entertaining pieces on a wide variety of subjects makes it is the perfect book to dip into. The amazing and extraordinary facts series presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure.