These are our picks for the books to read in March.
We Must be Brave by Frances Liardet
Spanning the sweep of the 20th century, this is a luminous and profoundly moving novel about the people we rescue and the ways in which they rescue us back. The heart of this story is Ellen’s love for Pamela – the four-year-old girl she fostered during war time – and the profound effect the love for a child can have on one’s life. Some books just sweep you along right from the start, and We Must be Brave ($29.99) is one of them.
Milkman by Anna Burns
Winner of the 2018 Man Booker Prize, Milkman ($29.99) is a deeply honest novel told in prose that is as precise and unsentimental as it is devastatingly brutal. Set against the backdrop of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, 18-year-old ‘Middle Sister’ is trying hard not to stand out while being pursued by the sinister ‘Milkman’. A darkly complex and challenging novel for our times.
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
A twisting, compelling novel about one woman’s complicated relationship with her mother-in-law, which ends in murder. Dark secrets and complex family relationships are at the heart of this tightly wound, page-turning thriller. The Mother-in-Law ($29.99) will keep you guessing to the end.
Mary Queen of Scots by John Guy
Now a major film, Mary Queen of Scots ($24.99) is a dramatic reinterpretation of the life of one of Britain’s most famous monarchs by one of the leading historians of this period. Crowned Queen of Scotland at nine months, and Queen of France at 16, the life of Mary Stuart was one of unparalleled drama and conflict.
Heroes by Stephen Fry
Few mere mortals have ever embarked on such bold and heart-stirring adventures, overcome myriad monstrous perils or outwitted scheming vengeful gods quite as stylishly and triumphantly as Greek heroes. The dazzling companion to the bestselling Mythos, Heroes ($35) is the story of what we mortals are truly capable of.