The Literary Sofa
Isabel Costello
Book Review – The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
I am writing fewer reviews these days so only pick the books which really stand out for me. That is true of The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, a debut which is now being released or eagerly anticipated all over the world. It was acquired by Picador in the UK for a six figure sum and went … Continue reading
Coping with Rejection
I recently wrote this article about rejection for a competition and rather fittingly, it didn’t get anywhere. When I was telling some writer friends about this over lunch a few days ago (I had to see the funny side), they said I should post it on the blog so I’m doing it before I can … Continue reading
Guest Author – Carys Bray on Writing about Mormonism
The reasons we read fiction and what we get out of it are numerous and complex. Two things which crop up over and over when discussing books are a need to try to make sense of our own lives, especially the difficult parts, and the opportunity fiction gives to experience other lives which may be … Continue reading
Guest Author – Jonathan Gibbs on setting his Debut Novel in the Art World
It’s no surprise that certain subjects and professions lend themselves to fiction better than others. I attended a talk by a top literary agent a few years ago in which she dismissed accountancy and dentistry as a complete non-starter (in the latter case, Joshua Ferris has just proven her wrong); whilst some readers are fascinated … Continue reading
Guest Author – Anya Lipska: The Challenge of setting Crime Fiction in London’s Polish Community
Crime is rare on the Literary Sofa, but I am not immune to it. I have real admiration for anyone who can write good crime fiction, which seems to demand a layer of extra skills. I can’t critique or review this genre because I don’t understand its mysterious workings, but as a reader the crime … Continue reading
Guest Author – Rachael Dunlop: An Unpublished Novelist faces Reality
Firstly I want to say thank you for the phenomenal interest in Summer Reads 2014 which has already had over 2,000 hits and made May the busiest month ever on the blog. Welcome to many new followers here and on Twitter and extra thanks to everyone who’s been sharing the list far and wide. I love putting … Continue reading
Summer Reads 2014
*SEE END OF POST FOR COMPETITION WINNERS* I’m very excited to unveil the Literary Sofa SUMMER READS 2014. From a field of over 50 titles considered, the twelve books I selected reflect the breadth of my taste and hopefully also yours. You’ll find crime and mystery, a memoir, comic and tragic family sagas, intriguing tales … Continue reading
Guest Author – Juliet West on Narrative Voice
In the year marking the centenary of the start of World War One I was expecting a flood of historical fiction set during that period but that doesn’t seem to have happened and I’ve only read a couple of titles so far. Before The Fall, the debut from today’s guest author Juliet West impressed me … Continue reading
The Literary Guilt and Inferiority Quiz
Many of you book-lovers will have seen this very interesting, possibly funnier than intended article by the supremely erudite Will Self in The Guardian, lamenting the death of the serious literary novel (again). Now, serious and literary are two of my favourite words but this piece contained one or two (dozen) others which challenged my … Continue reading
Three Days in Barcelona
If you were in the UK last winter, you’ll remember the rain that went on for months. By January I was googling cheap flights to get away for Easter weekend (there weren’t any). Copenhagen was looking like the best bet. I fancied making like Saga Norén – albeit without the puce overcoat, there are limits … Continue reading
My new novel SCENT – out in paperback on 19 May 2022
The Literary Sofa 