The Post Birthday World, by Lionel Shriver (Harper, £7.99)
Irina McGovern's future hangs on a birthday kiss and the decisions taken thereafter. We find ourselves wondering what we would do in similar circumstances as Shriver draws us into Irina's intense emotional and moral dilemma. Who will it be- her partner, the safe, supportive Lawrence, or Ramsey, the hard-living snooker player, or neither, or both?
The book's parallel-universe structure enables Shriver to explore the possibilities, flaws and repercussions of Irina's possible choices. Her skill as a writer is to unsettle us, making it impossible not to care what happens. Is the grass greener for Irina (or any of us) in the end?
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