Lists

Highlights of the Best Fiction Books Coming Out of UK in October

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Rabeea Saleem

Staff Writer

Rabeea is a Karachi-based writer. Her two vices are cricket and literature. Book critic for various international publications including Chicago Review of Books, Irish Times and The National. She can be reached at rabeea.reviews@gmail.com.

October marks the return of some literary heavyweights like Haruki Murakami and Mohammed Hanif. Not only that, this month sees the publication of some the most buzzed about books of the year. So without further ado, here are my picks of the best fiction coming out of UK this October.

Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami (Harvill Secker)

This is the much anticipated new epic from the internationally acclaimed writer. An ambitious modern retelling of The Great Gatsby, this sprawling novel is a treat for Murakami fans.

Red Birds by Mohammed HanifRed Birds by Mohammed Hanif (Bloomsbury)

A visceral work of dark comedy, Mohammed Hanif’s latest novel is a savage satire of the war and America’s role in it. Reminiscent of Catch-22, this fiery novel is at once absurd, oddly moving and highly relevant.

Enigma Variations by André AcimanEnigma Variations by André Aciman (Faber)

The new novel from the author of Call Me by Your Name is an intricate portrayal of sexual infatuation. An alluring portrayal of one man’s experiences in love, this novella is at once engaging and sophisticated.

The Bus on Thursday by Shirley BarrettThe Bus on Thursday by Shirley Barrett (Fleet)

This book grabbed my attention after I saw it being described as Bridget Jones meets Twin Peaks. A wildly entertaining mashup  of horror and humor, this is a bizarre story of a woman’s  retreat to a remote Australian town and the horrors awaiting her.

Little by Edward CareyLittle by Edward Carey (Aardvark Bureau )

Described as a cross between Dickens and David Lynch, this is a captivating tale of an ambitious orphan in Revolutionary Paris who transforms herself into the legendary Madame Tussaud. Carey portrays the sensational life woman who founded London’s world-famous wax museum with impeccable empathy and attention to detail.

Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Friday Black by  Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (Riverrun)

The Underground Railroad meets Black Mirror in this unforgettable, highly inventive debut story collection. Tackling urgent issues like the modern Black experience and cultural unrest, these stories depict a world that is uncomfortably familiar and unsettling.

Kill 'Em All book coverKill ’em All by John Niven (William Heinemann)

The long-awaited sequel to Kill Your Friends is finally here. Thriving on shock value, this novel marks the return of the obnoxious Steven Stelfox, two decades on from his Britpop heyday. An acidic look at Trump, Brexit and reality TV culture, this book could not be more contemporary.