February 2009 Book of the Month.

In a multi-voiced, first person narrative we follow characters large and small through a convoluted plot that has groups of people crossing and their experiences laid one on top of another.  It is most impressive, highly hypnotic and illustrates a slice of contemporary urban life that I would recommend to readers of both genders and any age.  Don’t look at the cover which slants the book towards the female market for this is a tale of life today.  Brilliant.

Comparison: Joshua Ferris, Nick Hornby, John O’Farrell.

Synopsis

Friends, family, workmates. The woman you see at the bus stop every morning; the man who reaches for the last newspaper just before you get to it. Everyone you meet, and some you nearly meet, will have an impact on the way your day goes.

Small World is the story of a group of men and women, living and working in a city, who are connected through love, work, friendship, or simply by virtue of proximity. We connect with the hearts and minds of characters including an all-coping housewife, a stressed out working mother, a put-upon nanny, a long-suffering journalist, an Indian waiter who dreams of stardom, a grieving shop assistant, a stand-up comic and a psychotic policeman – all of whom speak directly to us about their innermost thoughts, fears and desires in a series of interwoven first-person narratives.

Reviews

'A page-turner and a triumph…this book makes Beaumont’s position as one of Britain’s best comedy writers more permanent' Daily Express

‘An involving drama with an unexpectedly dramatic climax…this has an ingeniously constructed plot and real emotional heft’ Daily Telegraph

‘An extraordinary novel…as the compelling stories unfold, we are party to every thought and dream. It’s like unravelling mysteries behind the faces you see every day on your journey to work…intriguing and compelling’ Heat

About the Author

Matt Beaumont lives in London with his wife, the writer Maria Beaumont, and their children. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation