And the Ass Saw the Angel

Nick Cave

Cave's debut novel takes on the Southern Gothic in this bizarre baroque tale. Born mute to a drunken mother and a demented father, tortured Euchrid Eucrow finds more compassion in the family mule than in his fellow men. But he alone will grasp the cruel fate of Cosey Mo, the beautiful young prostitute i...

The Diary of Lady Murasaki

Murasaki Shikibu, Lady Murasaki

The Diary recorded by Lady Murasaki (c. 973-c. 1020), author of The Tale of Genji, is an intimate picture of her life as tutor and companion to the young Empress Shoshi. Told in a series of vignettes, it offers revealing glimpses of the Japanese imperial palace - the auspicious birth of a prince, rivalr...

Small Gods (#13 Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

"'Just because you can't explain it, doesn't mean it's a miracle.' In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was- 'Hey, you!' This is the Discworld, after all, and religion is a controversial business. Everyone has their own opinion, and indeed their own gods, of every shape and size, and all elbowing...