The Gone-Away World: Nick Harkaway

What can I say? This novel (by none other than John Le Carre’s son) is already my favourite of the year, and the best debut I have read in many years. Its 500-plus pages offer so many riches I cannot go into too many details here. Apocalyptic scenery? Check. A wild troupe of ruffians trying to save the world? Check. Laughter and heartbreak? Check. Oh, and did I mention the ninjas? Think Dickens smoking a doobie with Vonnegut and Philip K. Dick and you’ll get the idea. It’s more than that, though.

This young author has found his own voice and deserves more than easy comparisons. You are an amazing talent if you can weave a plot together consisting of world-saving adventure, heartbreaking love and insanely funny, engaging characters. And how about those ninjas? This novel is big, freakish and very, very promising. A bit like Lance Franklin really. (Is he a ninja?) Do yourself a favour and buy this book. You’ll thank yourself for many years to come. Enough said.