Long-time readers of this august publication will know that in the mid-nineties I was already raving about W.G. Sebald (The Emigrants, The Rings of Saturn, Vertigo), for I already had the feeling then that this was a writer who was going to be remembered for a very long time. Gradually word did get out - but only with Sebald’s untimely death shortly after the publication of his novel Austerlitz did he belatedly come to be recognised as the literary giant he undoubtedly was.

Here we have a collection of essays by some notable critics, as well as several absolutely fascinating interviews that Sebald conducted between 1996 and 2001. It will provide raving fans like me with countless fascinating tidbits concerning Sebald’s life and work; for those newer to his texts a wonderful contextualisation that I hope will prompt further exploration of his remarkable oeuvre.

Martin Shaw is from Readings Carlton