1. The European and The Herald pick their top reads of the summer, and also a recommendation from Irish Examiner columnist Louise O’Neill.
‘Another anticipated debut in which Londoner adrift in Paris Leah responds to an enigmatic advertisement placed by a writer seeking an assistant. Travelling to the south of France she finds herself spending a summer transcribing the memoirs of his debauched years spent in 1960s Soho and finding there may me more to him than she first assumed.’ – The European
‘Travelling to the south of France, Leah begins transcribing diaries that chronicle Michael's debauchery in 1960s Soho, soon realising there is more to this seemingly burnt-out author than she first envisaged.’ – The Herald
Francesca will also be taking part in the ‘Summer Series’ of live events at the recently opened London bookshop, BookBar, as reported in the Bookseller (attached).
‘BookBar was created to bring people together through books, and events were always going to be at the centre of that. I’m so excited to launch our first in-person events programme that showcases some of the talented authors whose books we love sharing with our customers.’ – BookBar founder Chrissy Ryan
‘Francesca Reece's sizzling summer debut is a one way ticket to the South of France, filled with the long drives and stolen glances across swimming pools.’ – Esquire
‘From Paris to the South of France, with narrative strands that wind beautifully through London’s Soho and the hot streets of Athens, Voyeur seems as though it may be your standard airport novel…. But Francesca Reece’s stirring debut is much more than the sum of its wanderlust parts.’ – Harper’s Bazaar
VOYEUR has been selected as a staff pick at the famous English-language Paris bookshop, Shakespeare & Co. Here is what the booksellers, including the owner Sylvia Whitman, are saying (also attached):
Voyeur begins as an incredibly smart and funny satire on being an expat in Paris and then develops into much more. Leah, a young woman, and Michael, a just past middle-aged man, take turns narrating the story whose trajectory changes just as much as the voices of these two characters. It asks the question of who is allowed to tell their story and how the past impregnates the present with meaning. -Nathan
I felt this story was somewhere beautifully placed between Bonjour Tristesse and The Talented Mr Ripley and at the same time its own very piercing, gripping, witty creation. – Sylvia Whitman
Absolutely brilliant, creeping suspense building against the heat of the Mediterranean. I’ll be telling everyone to read it this summer. –Abigail