First Novel

Description

Paul Kinder, a novelist with one forgotten book to his name, teaches creative writing in a university in the north-west of England. Either he's researching his second, breakthrough novel, or he's killing time having sex in cars. Either eternal life exists, or it doesn't. Either you'll laugh, or you'll cry. Or maybe both.

Promotion info

'First Novel is absolutely at the forefront of everything I've read in British fiction over the last couple of years.' Jonathan Coe

Reviews

"A cutting-edge, vital new novel for now" -- Stuart Hammond Dazed & Confused "Ingeniously twisted. expertly draws us into the unpredictable labyrinth of the protagonist's mind, and is seldom less than grimly compelling. Exerts a pleasingly icy grip" -- Trevor Lewis Sunday Times "An intricate story with an unsettlingly noirish effect" -- Lucy Scholes Observer "Dazzling. Royle attended last year's Man Booker Prize ceremony as editor of one of the shortlisted titles, Alison Moore's The Lighthouse. I wouldn't bet against Royle having to dry-clean the tux on his own account next time." -- Anthony Cummins Sunday Telegraph "Blurs fact and fiction with aplomb. Royle's novel is a sharp portrait of a man going very wrong." -- Ben Felsenburg Metro

Author description

Nicholas Royle is the author of six previous novels, including The Director's Cut and Antwerp, as well as two novellas and a short story collection, Mortality. Born in Manchester in 1963, he runs Nightjar Press, reviews fiction for the Independent, and is a senior lecturer in creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University. He divides his time between Manchester and London.