Thrilled to read these words about my new novel Phantom at the Feast from Philip Terry, editor of The Penguin Book of Oulipo, and translator (ZOMG!) of Raymond Queneau and Georges Perec among others — wow!

Here’s the text in full:

Phantom at the Feast . . . I couldn’t put it down. It’s a marvel, and would make a great TV series. The Oulipian machinery I loved, of course, but all worn so lightly while being intricately embedded in the structure and narrative. The way the complex strands of the narrative come together, the to-ing and fro-ing of time scales – so difficult to pull off but handled with such panache – make for a rollercoaster read. And I loved recognising so many places here that I know well, from Dedham and Essex, to Leeds (I can’t get enough of that Clash story), Sheffield, Plymouth, the Côte d’Azur, parts of London, and Dungeness, all of which add vibrant textures and contrasting landscapes with their associated moods to the work. And it reminds us of the political importance and complex repercussions of the era in which it is set, giving us something of an unwritten history — a great book!

Philip Terry, editor The Penguin Book of Oulipo

§

NEW: sign up to receive occasional book news and invites to forthcoming events and launches…