How opium made the British Empire

Amitav Ghosh, author of ‘Smoke and Ashes’, talks about the opium trade, the opioid epidemic and climate change

A proud MK soldier opens up — a little

There is detail, but not enough emotion, in Marion Sparg’s memoir, ‘Guilty and Proud’

How Bernie Madoff stole from the rich and famous

There is plenty of food for thought for the investment community in ‘Madoff: The Final Word’

Ambitious analysis of global conflict

Timely and agonisingly relevant book explores the almost impossible art of peace

Poignant glimpse of lonely admin worker’s life

Office novel about a customer service assistant and her unlikely companion

Five books to read in September

Grieving brothers, power of money, changing face of London, urban versus rural life in Nigeria and paradise scarred

Explore France through its food

Author Carolyn Boyd seems to have explored every nook and cranny, chip stall, bistro and three-star Michelin joint

Timely challenge to our assumptions about life and meaning

‘Deep Utopia’ provides a comprehensive framework for thinking about the future

A drop of water that contains multitudes

‘There are Rivers in the Sky’ is a vast, ambitious tale spanning countries, cultures, continents and centuries

The Western Cape in a dystopian present

‘Good Hope’ is set in an autocratic, oppressive state that has seceded from SA

Haunting debut novel offers sharp critique of cultural appropriation

‘Whale Fall’ explores the tensions of an isolated and tightly knit community on the brink of change

The books on the 2024 Booker Prize longlist

Panel chair Edmund de Waal says ‘the precarity of lives runs through our longlist like quicksilver’

BOOK REVIEW: Brave and timely warning of China’s intentions

‘The Boiling Moat’ is a call to action, telling readers that the threat to Taiwan from China is real and no-one is equipped to resist it

Entertaining and fitting tribute to irascible Chris van Wyk

Kevin van Wyk brings his father to life in this portrait of a writer, a loyal husband and wise parent

Satirical family saga will make you laugh as it breaks your heart

‘Long Island Compromise’ is a novel of midlife crisis that explores generational trauma

Five novels to read in August

Psychological thriller, migration, sibling rivalry, Greek mythology retold and gender roles explored

Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.