I’ve had a relatively quiet time here in Manhattan over the past fortnight. I’ve seen few of my friends, and have concentrated on writing, working & meetings.

That’s not to say I haven’t ventured out of my bed high classing working environment. My second night here coincided with the visit from London of dearest L, an old friend & roommate, literary agent & author who was here for the book launch uptown of one of her authors.

Evie Wyld is one of Granta’s New Voices of 2008 and the book, After the Fire, a Still Small Voice, is her debut. Set in Eastern Australia, it’s the more remarkable for being a story written about men, their behaviour and the emotions they can’t express. Dealing with the mental inheritance of war through three generations, her voice is quietly confident, compassionate and wholly convincing, transporting the reader into an uncomfortable, edgy world that holds one rapt. I highly recommend it.

Available from US Amazon & UK Amazon