The Book Report: Fall picks from Washington Post critic Ron Charles (Sept. 18)

By Washington Submit ebook critic Ron Charles

Now that the youngsters are again in class and the nights are getting longer, it is time to consider what to learn this fall. Listed below are just a few model new titles to take a look at:

When Abdulrazak Gurnah received the Nobel Prize in literature final 12 months, most Individuals had by no means learn something by this fascinating creator.

Born in 1948 in Tanzania, Gurnah fled to England after the 1964 rebellion in Zanzibar. Over time, he is written 10 critically-acclaimed novels.

The most recent, “Afterlives” (Riverhead), affords an intimate take a look at village life in East Africa through the interval of German colonialism firstly of the twentieth century. This can be a ebook that reclaims forgotten historical past and honors misplaced folks in a approach that is heartbreaking and revelatory.

Learn an excerpt

“Afterlives” by Abdulrazak Gurnah (Riverhead), in Hardcover, Giant Print Commerce Paperback, eBook and Audio codecs, accessible by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound

Maggie O’Farrell’s novel “Hamnet,” in regards to the dying of William Shakespeare’s solely son, was the most effective books of 2020.

Now O’Farrell is again with “The Marriage Portrait” (Knopf), a terrific historic thriller that drops us into the panicked thoughts of a teenage lady who is aware of her husband is plotting to kill her.

The lady is Lucrezia de’ Medici, immortalized by Robert Browning’s poem, “My Final Duchess.” Historical past tells us she died in 1561 earlier than she might have a good time her first anniversary, however O’Farrell can have you guessing ’til the final web page.

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“The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’Farrell (Knopf), in Hardcover, Giant Print Commerce Paperback, eBook and Audio codecs, accessible September 27 by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound

maggieofarrell.com

What if Individuals elected a narcissistic psychopath to the White Home?

Some folks would possibly say we have already seen what that might be like. However James Patterson’s breathless new thriller, “Blowback” (Little, Brown), takes that situation to the brink of World Struggle III.

Written with Brendan DuBois, “Blowback” imagines a president decided to defeat America’s enemies as soon as and for all.

A pair of secret brokers are honored to assist the president’s plan – till they notice he is about to destroy the nation.

Learn an excerpt

“Blowback” by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois (Little, Brown and Firm), in Hardcover, Giant Print Commerce Paperback, eBook and Audio codecs, accessible by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound

jamespatterson.com

brendandubois.com

Mary Rodgers, who died in 2014, lived her life within the melodies of American musical theater. She was Richard Rodgers’ daughter, composer Adam Guettel’s mom, and Stephen Sondheim’s good friend – and he or she was an achieved composer and creator herself.

Now, all these great tales take middle stage in “Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers” (‎Farrar, Straus and Giroux), written with New York Instances theater critic Jesse Inexperienced.

Via painful relationships and glad ones, disappointments and successes, Rodgers is rarely something however candid, forgiving and witty. So, sit down and let the curtain rise.

Learn an excerpt

“Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers” by Mary Rodgers and Jesse Inexperienced (‎Farrar, Straus and Giroux), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio codecs, accessible by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound

Comply with @JesseKGreen on Twitter

For these and different recommendations about what to learn this fall, contact your librarians or native bookseller.

That is it for The E book Report. I am Ron Charles. Till subsequent time, learn on!

     
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For extra studying suggestions, try these earlier E book Report options from Ron Charles: 

     
Produced by Robin Sanders and Roman Feeser.