EVELYN! by Duncan McLaren published by Harbour Books

EVELYN! by Duncan McLaren is published next week by Harbour Books. The novel is a most personal and surprising biography of Evelyn Waugh which, for the very first time, also examines in full the love triangle between Waugh, Evelyn Gardner and John Heygate. Adopting the same disruptive and inquisitive approach as his previous works, McLaren manages to produce an entirely new portrait of Evelyn Waugh to those painted by more traditional recent biographies.

Duncan McLaren is the author of LOOKING FOR ENID: The Mysterious and Inventive Life of Enid Blyton (World rights: Portobello, 2007). Now writing ZIMMERSONG, a memoir about his parents, based on his moving Saga blog 'Visiting Mabel' about visiting his mother in her care home. His blog was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Blogs 2011. 

Alexander Waugh writes:

'I think it is absolutely brilliant, breezy, very funny, original, erudite, beautifully written, fascinating in every detail, moving, generous, charming and thoroughly deserving of a good publisher... It is written with magnificent zest and is, among so much else, a wonderful advertisement for Waugh.'

Alexander Waugh's endorsement of the manuscript is not just fabulous in itself, but led to previously unpublished photographs being made available for inclusion in 
EVELYN!, photographs that get right to the heart of Evelyn Waugh's life and McLaren’s book. 

PAPERBACK PUBLICATION DAY FOR LIZ FENWICK’S A CORNISH STRANGER

A CORNISH STRANGER by Liz Fenwick is released in paperback today by Orion.

Set in beautiful Cornwall, like her two previous bestselling novels, this is a remarkable story of identity and betrayal.

Her previous novels are THE CORNISH HOUSE and A CORNISH AFFAIR. Liz’s fourth novel, UNDER A CORNISH SKY, will be released in the UK on 7th May 2015. Her novels are translated into 11 languages so far.

Liz Fenwick was born in Massachusetts, now lives in Dubai with her family, but visits her Cornish house as often as possible.

Praise for Liz Fenwick:

'An intriguing, deeply felt and poignant story, stuffed with insight and observation.' – Elizabeth Buchan

‘Intriguing with a great sense of place. The perfect ‘Cornish’ holiday read.’ – Katie Fforde

 

KEN HOM’S RESTAURANT MEE RECEIVES A MICHELIN STAR

MEE at Belmond Copacabana palace has received a Michelin star, as one of the first restaurants in South America. MEE is led by celebrated BBC TV chef Ken Hom, and opened in February 2014 at the iconic Copacabana Palace, a glorious local landmark located on Rio’s world-famous Copacabana Beach.

Belmond Copacabana Palace’s General Director, Andrea Natal, says of the accolade: “We are delighted to be awarded a Michelin star just over a year after MEE’s opening. This esteemed accolate strengthens MEE’s position not only as the first luxury pan-Asian restaurant in Rio, but also as one of the city’s best restaurants overall”.

Ken Hom comments: “I am extremely proud that MEE has received this coveted recognition. The team and I are passionate about bringing luxury pan-Asian cuisine to Rio de Janeiro and will continue to develop the restaurant’s innovative menu”.

Ken is currently writing his memoir, A LIFE SOUR AND SWEET, to be published next year by Robson Press. In A LIFE SWEET AND SOUR, Ken looks back at his life and how far he’s come since his difficult childhood in Chicago. Leading the reader through his story, this book will be a celebration of everything Ken has learned, offered and achieved so far, and how he became a globally-acclaimed chef and author.

‘EXIT STRATEGY’ BY IVAN VLADISLAVIĆ PUBLISHED BY GRANTA ONLINE

Ivan Vladislavić’s story ‘Exit Strategy’, from his new collection 101 DETECTIVES is published today by Granta Online. You can read the story here http://granta.com/exit-strategy/.

101 DETECTIVES is published by Umuzi in South Africa on 20th April, and in the UK and US by And Other Stories in June. A private-eye convention and a tussle over a Pierneef. A young man’s unsettling experience in the American South and a tragedy off the coast of Mauritius. A bizarre night of industrial theatre and a translator at a loss for words. These are but a few of the fictions in 101 DETECTIVES. A collection of short stories launched his career as a writer: now twenty-six years later, 101 DETECTIVES showcases Vladislavić’s virtuosity as he bends and recasts this literary form in spectacular fashion.

Ivan spoke about the collection on Classic FM last week. Ivan will be appearing at Franschhoek Literary Festival, taking part in the following events:

Friday 15 May

1pm Writers’ libraries Justin Fox asks Belinda Bauer, Imraan Coovadia and Ivan Vladislavić about the books that have influenced them throughout their lives, their reading preferences in general — including how these may have changed at different stages in life, and what influence their reading has had on their writing.

Saturday 16 May

10am Exploring the short form Helon Habila, Jackie Kay, SJ Naude and Ivan Vladislavić talk about the of the short story form, its challenges and rewards, the skills required to master the form, and how they individually have challenged expectations with the stories they’ve written and/or edited.

4pm Authors talking An open discussion, with four authors sitting around a camp fire sharing anecdotes about the writing life. Deon Meyer will lead the discussion, alongside Ivan Vladislavić, Imraan Coovadia and Israeli writer, Eshkol Nevo. 

Sunday 17 May

11.30am The global audience: Who’s reading what you’re writing A discussion about how writing for a global audience influences a writer's choice of subject, style of writing, use of language, etc.

Vladislavić is a novelist, essayist and editor. He lives in Johannesburg where he is a Distinguished Professor in Creative Writing at the University of the Witwatersrand. His work has won several prizes, including the University of Johannesburg Prize, the Sunday Times Fiction Prize and the Alan Paton Award for non-fiction. He was recently awarded the Windham-Campbell Prize for fiction.

Praise for Ivan Vladislavić:

‘Ivan Vladislavic is the most significant writer in South Africa today.’ – Focus on Africa

'One of South Africa's most finely tuned observers' – Ted Hodgkinson, The Times Literary Supplement

‘Over the past two decades Ivan Vladislavić’s varied oeuvre has cemented his position as one of the most critically respected novelists currently at work in South Africa.’ – Danny Byrne, Music and Literature