Glover's Mistake

Description

The second novel from exciting, young novelist Nick Laird - an artful meditation on love and life in contemporary London. When David Pinner introduces his former teacher, the American artist Ruth Marks, to his friend and flatmate James Glover, he unwittingly sets in place a love triangle loaded with tension, guilt and heartbreak. As David plays reluctant witness (and more) to James and Ruth's escalating love affair, he must come to terms with his own blighted emotional life. Set in the London art scene awash with new money and intellectual pretension, in the sleek galleries and posh restaurants of a Britannia resurgent with cultural and economic power, Nick Laird's insightful and drolly satirical novel vividly portrays three people whose world gradually fractures along the fault lines of desire, truth and jealousy. With wit and compassion, Laird explores the very nature of contemporary romance, among damaged souls whose hearts and heads never quite line up long enough for them to achieve true happiness.

Nick Laird was born in 1975 in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and until recently worked as a lawyer in London. His poems, essays and reviews have been published in various anthologies and journals, including the Times Literary Supplement and the London Review of Books. Laird's two poetry collections, To a Fault and On Purpose, are published by Faber and Faber, and his first novel, Utterly Monkey, was published by Fourth Estate in 2005.

'"Glover's Mistake" is a fine, thoughtful piece of work that combines a compelling plot and pithy insights into the relationship between creativity and criticism; between art and those who make their livings skulking in its shadow.' John O'Connell, The Times 'It is a book that takes its characters pretty seriously, feeling their pain and acknowledging the complexity and muddle of their lives...the strength of this book comes from the sheer quality of the writing.' Guardian 'A very special and terrifically enjoyable book. Not to be missed.' Daily Mail 'Laird's characterisation is so skilful...The slow-burning, straight-faced humour is effective, the quality of observations assured.' Sunday Times '"Glover's Mistake" is a stifling study of frustration and tightening obsession...It is Laird's poetic voice that is the real attraction. "Glover's Mistake" is punctuated by witty social observations and tantalising flashes of brilliance.' Sunday Telegraph 'Taking the template of his old work - precise, clever, fast-paced fiction - and bringing it several steps forward...Laird has a pacy, captivating style that keeps your eyes firmly fastened to the page...He is the kind of author who makes you interested to see what he will do next.' Sunday Business Post