Franzen’s Freedom and Larkin’s Letters, Tony Blair’s inner ‘animal’ and 100 objects that told the history of the world – in this special issue we survey the literary highlights of 2010.
But first, leading names select their personal favourites… and the presents they’ll be giving this Christmas.
Hilary Mantel
Annabel Lyon won prizes in her native Canada for her note-perfect historical novel The Golden Mean (Atlantic, £14.99), but here it has not had the attention it deserves. It tells the story of Aristotle and the young Alexander; her interpretation of their relationship and their world is luminous and deeply intelligent. Richard Cohen’s Chasing the Sun: the Epic Story of the Star that Gives Us Life (Simon & Schuster, £30) is a warming book for short winter days, blending myth with history and science, and guaranteed to please and fascinate almost any reader.
Orlando Figes
Full piece at The Telegraph.
As you can see Bookman Beattie loves lists ! Another follows this.