Top New Novels for Autumn 2024: Sally Rooney, Jonathan Coe, Haruki Murakami

A wealth of fiction awaits readers this autumn, with a bounty of new books from renowned authors. New novels by Sally Rooney, Ali Smith, and Jonathan Coe headline the season. Booker contenders Richard Powers and Rachel Kushner from the US join the mix, alongside a fresh adventure from Haruki Murakami and a thrilling feminist horror from Polish Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk. The upcoming months promise a treasure trove of literary delights, including Robert Harris’s political thriller, “Precipice,” set in 1914, and a new John le Carré novel penned by his son, Nick Harkaway.

With an abundance of literary treats, where should one start? Kick off the season with an exclusive preview of Alan Hollinghurst’s “Our Evenings,” his first novel in seven years. Booker winner Roddy Doyle also revisits his iconic character Paula Spencer in his new book, “The Women Behind the Door.”

To help navigate through this jam-packed lineup, here’s a preview of some standout novels. Prize-winning authors and beloved names blend with fresh voices, including German bestseller Fatma Aydemir, whose new novel “Djinns” has been translated into English. Whether you prefer morally complex dramas, surreal love stories, or satirical state-of-the-nation narratives, this autumn offers something for every reader.

William Boyd’s latest spy novel, available from 5 September, promises page-turning glamour. Returning to his 60s beat, the story follows a travel writer drawn into secretive British state maneuvers after a trip to newly independent Congo. Boyd’s vivid storytelling ensures a thrilling read as the protagonist weaves through Europe under the guidance of the enigmatic Faith Green.

Rachel Kushner’s new book, out on 5 September, is a brainy espionage caper marked by wry humor. Following the success of “The Mars Room” in 2018, Kushner’s latest work features Sadie Smith, a witty, unreliable narrator investigating a group of eco-saboteurs in France.

Releasing on 17 September, Rumaan Alam’s new book abandons sci-fi for social drama. Following the dynamics between a black graduate and a wealthy white philanthropist in New York, the story delivers a slow-burn tale of deceit and an intriguing finale.

Elizabeth Strout, coming out with her new book on 19 September, continues her keen observation of life’s intricacies. With beloved characters like Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge returning, Strout’s narrative weaves the hopes and setbacks of a close-knit community with her signature delicate touch.

Sally Rooney’s highly anticipated fourth novel, out on 24 September, is her longest yet, exploring the grief and complexities of two brothers entangled with three women after their father’s death. With rich prose reminiscent of James Joyce, Rooney’s storytelling continues to evolve.

Olga Tokarczuk delivers a satirical spin on Thomas Mann’s classic “The Magic Mountain” with a revenge tale set among male tuberculosis patients in the Silesian mountains. Her new work, releasing on 26 September, is closer in style to the thrilling narrative of her 2018 hit, “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead.”

Fatma Aydemir’s “Djinns,” available from 22 October, offers a compelling family saga. The novel, translated for the first time into English, traces the lives of a Turkish-Kurdish family navigating the post-migration experience in Germany.

Ali Smith’s new book, releasing on 31 October, promises serious-minded frolics. The first in a two-part series, it introduces a future where technology and surveillance impact the lives of two siblings navigating an unforgiving state.

In “The Proof of My Innocence,” out on 7 November, Jonathan Coe’s sharp satire explores the absurdities of modern Britain. Set around Liz Truss’s rise to PM, the narrative pinballs between different literary styles, making it a must-read.

Haruki Murakami’s latest novel, available from 19 November, brings his signature magic realism to a romance spun from dream logic. “The City and Its Uncertain Walls” follows a man’s search for a lost love in a peculiar, parallel-reality city.

Other notable releases include Tim Winton’s apocalyptic “Juice” and Tessa Hadley’s novella “The Party,” both arriving in October. For those seeking thrillers, Nick Harkaway’s “Karla’s Choice” and Richard Osman’s new series opener “We Solve Murders” are highly recommended.

For fans of translated fiction, upcoming gems include novels by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr and Michel Houellebecq. The horror genre sees fresh entries with Eliza Clark’s “She’s Always Hungry” and Daisy Johnson’s “The Hotel.”

Finally, “Duets,” releasing on 17 October, is a unique collection where established and emerging writers collaborate on co-written tales, offering a delightful literary feast.

Source: The Guardian