The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore

by Benjamin Hale

The trick with a book like The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore is to know what to expect before you read it. You should expect an extremely original plot: Bruno is a chimpanzee trying to become a man (and who has a better grasp of language than most of his homo sapien counterparts). You should expect a dash of bestiality: Bruno falls in love primatologist Lydia Littlemore, and yes, they do have sex, until she falls ill. But you shouldn’t assume that as the protagonist, you’ll find yourself rooting for Bruno; his is a flawed character and at times, you may even find him almost completely unlikeable. Still, the lush, lyrical language and strong plot will have you swept up in Bruno’s life – even if you wouldn’t necessarily want to be his friend.

The Lotus Eater

by Tatjana Soli

Set during the Vietnam war, The Lotus Eater is told through the narrative voice of Helen Adams, a photojournalist. Her addiction to the adrenalin of the war as well as her complex and passionate relationships with two men: Darrow and Linh, set the background for a novel delving into the violence of Vietnam during the war and the deceptive rays of hope to be found in between. Tatjana Soli’s novel is a vivid reimagination of time gone by.

Just Like Heaven

by Julia Quinn

Bestselling author Julia Quinn’s delightful novel Just Like Heaven revolves around the elite crowd in Victorian England, and Quinn reimagines life and romance in the society and injects a high level of humour into her narrative. Read about Honoria Smythe-Smith’s desperate search for a husband in order to escape the annual quartet performance required by the family’s single girls, a read sure to leave you in chuckles.