Daily Archives: January 9, 2025

Book Review | ‘Rental House’ by Weike Wang

You’re a mere five pages into Weike Wang’s masterful novel Rental House when she does this to you, as her married couple main characters, one a first-gen Chinese immigrant, the other a striving son of Appalachia, contest a name for their sheepdog puppy, possibly considering Mantou (steamed bun):“Nate brought up the propensity of yuppie couples to name their expensive dogs after basic starch items…. There was no fruit or vegetable Keru enjoyed enough to dedicate to their dog. She would also not be giving their dog a human name like Stacy. The other possibility was Huajuan, or a fancy-shaped, swirled steam bun. Nate said the word a few times, believing that he was saying the word right, but Keru said that he was saying the word wrong, and though Nate couldn’t hear where he’d gone wrong, and she couldn’t explain it either, he agreed that Mantou was fine.”Pin that passage as an exemplar of the old saw about writing the painfully specific to twang the emotional tuning fork of the universal. Which of us doesn’t have a translation problem trying to communicate from our country of one? Wang dissects modern marriage in Rental House — the angst of discovering how much space is enough before absence seems fonder, how easy it is to relish and at the same time chafe at one’s own privilege, how to adult around one’s parents, wondering whether opting to be childless is a selfish or world-improving act. Wang’s unsparing third person omniscient narrator, in an interlude between the two sections of the book (each takes place at a different vacation home), acidly dissects the world as follows: “There is a tendency to take two halves of something and assign them equal weight. Marriage is fifty-fifty, but who said that? Who believes this to be true?”Just one part of the complication is everyone but orphans comes to marriage trailing the psychic baggage of family. (Not to deny orphans their issues, of course.) For Keru, it’s a desire to please but not become her Chinese parents, especially with a mother who believes that suffering is required — struggle strangles complacency. For Nate, who eventually lands tenure doing fruit fly research, it’s escaping his politically red kin in the Blue Ridge Mountains who refuse the COVID mask mandate. “Whatever science he believed in, he should also know when to keep it to himself,” is how Wang describes Nate’s mom’s opinion. “She wasn’t pushing her science onto him; she wasn’t telling him what to do.” Both Keru and Nate graduate Yale, land good jobs — Keru is a consultant, raking it in (another point of contention, as even tenured profs don’t) — but there’s still a kind of emptiness.That only gets exacerbated by what’s supposed to be the release of routine brought by vacations. The first rental home, on Cape Cod, sees our couple get sequentially visited by each set of in-laws; the second, in upstate New York, rural yet still in a gated community, leads to unpleasant involvements with neighbors and Nate’s ne’er-do-well brother, who shows up unexpectedly. The inability for vacationing Keru and Nate to retreat to what they do for a living makes it clear how little other life they both have. That particularly leads to complications for Keru, who has a surprising affinity for throwing things. (Even the couple’s meet cute at a Halloween party presages her quick temper.)Generally a comedy of manners, Rental House — very much not vacation home — can blaze up with violent insolence. But, like Chekhov, Wang has a clear tenderness for her very fallible characters. If they have nothing else, besides a beautiful dog, they have each other, a place they can both work at being immigrants, to build a life in a new land.This review originally appeared in the California Review of Books.

Detroit-area library says man can keep overdue book – 50 years later

Fifty years later, a man who grew up in suburban Detroit tried to return a very overdue baseball book to his boyhood library.The answer: You can keep it — and no fine.Chuck Hildebrandt, 63, of Chicago said he visited the public library in Warren while in town for Thanksgiving, carrying a book titled “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars.” He had borrowed it in 1974 as a 13-year-old “baseball nut” but never returned it.

“When you’re moving with a bunch of books, you’re not examining every book. You throw them in a box and go,” said Hildebrandt, who has lived in many cities. “But five or six years ago, I was going through the bookshelf and there was a Dewey decimal library number on the book. What is this?”Inside the book was a slip of paper indicating that it was due back at the Warren library on Dec. 4, 1974. Hildebrandt told The Associated Press that he decided to keep the book until 2024 — the 50th anniversary — and then try to return it. He figured the library might want to publicize the long overdue exchange.#placement_754106_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;}
He said he recently met library director Oksana Urban, who listened to his pitch. Hildebrandt said he hasn’t heard anything since then, though Urban told the Detroit Free Press that all is forgiven.“Some people never come back to face the music,” she said of patrons with overdue books. “But there was really no music to face because he and the book were erased from our system.”So “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars” is back on Hildebrandt’s shelf. In return, he’s now trying to raise $4,564 for Reading is Fundamental, a nonprofit literacy group. The amount roughly represents a 50-year overdue library fine. Hildebrandt is seeding the effort with $457.ASSOCIATED PRESS#placement_754110_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}

The history of Israel and Palestine through Rare Books

Did you know that you can schedule a time to visit the Rare Books Classroom and see treasures beyond your wildest imagination? First editions of Euclid and Galileo, a Hebrew scroll found in Spain and a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible are just a few examples of the more than 80,000 items housed in the Rare Books vault at the Marriott Library.
But note – while these articles of human history are housed in a vault, that doesn’t mean they are locked away, out of reach. These books get around. Last year alone, the Rare Books department hosted 77 hands-on presentations, reaching more than 1,300 students, staff and community members.
“The rare books experience emphasizes the importance of holding history in your hands,” explains Lyuba Basin, Rare Books Librarian. “It provides an opportunity to connect ideas learned in class with real, physical, tangible objects.”
The history of Israel and Palestine
At the request of assistant professor Annie Greene, Ph.D. Basin recently curated a presentation for the class “The History of Israel/Palestine (HIS 3910/MID E 3880).” The course is described as “an introduction to the history of Israel/Palestine, from the nineteenth century until the early twenty-first century, in which the students “assess the histories of nationalisms, colonialisms, war and violence, alongside the histories of ideologies, necessity, peace and diplomacy.” For this presentation, Basin selected 40 titles specifically for Greene’s course; a few examples included “Correspondence of Palestine Tourists” (1875) by George Albert Smith, “Arab-Israeli Peace” (1982) by Fayez Sayegh and “Paper Boats Zine” (2021) by University of Utah alum, Tamrika Khvtisiashvili.
“My students enjoyed having the tactile experience with history,” says Greene. “While we analyze and discuss different kinds of sources in class, the ‘PDFification’ flattens and distorts that a bit. Getting to see and touch different rare and old books, maps, manuscripts, posters, etc., really underscores the variety of materials historians consult, and why that variety matters. “
Says Basin, “With more than 80,000 items in the rare books collection, there is a whole world of books that students, faculty and community members can explore. Everyone is welcome!”
For those interested in learning about Rare Books, contact Lyuba Basin, rare books librarian, at 801-585-6168.
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Announcing the China Books Prize

At China Books Review, published by Asia Society’s Center on U.S.-China Relations and The Wire China, we are pleased to announce the upcoming Baifang Schell China Books Prize. This new annual award will celebrate exceptional book-length works on or from China and the greater Sinophone world, published in English.

The inaugural awards ceremony will take place at Asia Society’s New York headquarters later in 2025, considering books published in 2024. Winners will be awarded in two categories, each accompanied by a $10,000 cash prize:

Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Book on China

Award for Outstanding Translated Chinese Literature — shared between author and translator(s)

The awards seek to recognize and promote excellence in books that deepen understanding of the complexities of China and the greater Sinophone world, through original reporting, incisive analysis, compelling narrative and literary merit.

A distinguished panel of five impartial judges for each category — composed of prominent China scholars, authors and literary experts — will select the winners from a list of eligible books published in the previous calendar year. Shortlists and honorable mentions will also be announced. Submissions will be accepted from publishers, with a longlist compiled from nominations by scholars, writers and experts in the field.

The prize is named in honor of Liu Baifang Schell, who passed in 2021 after spending her life working to advance U.S.-China relations.

We look forward to announcing the shortlists and winners of the 2024 prize later this year. The juries for each award are listed below, followed by further details, including how publishers can submit titles for consideration.

Jury: Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Book on China

Andrew J. Nathan (chair) is Class of 1919 Professor of Political Science at Columbia University. He studies the politics and foreign policy of China, political participation and political culture in Asia, and the international human rights regime. Nathan’s books include Chinese Democracy (1985), The Tiananmen Papers (2001), China’s Search for Security (2012), Will China Democratize? (2013), and China’s Influence and the Center-Periphery Tug of War in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Indo-Pacific (2021).

Yangyang Cheng is a Research Scholar at Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, where her work focuses on the history of science in China, and U.S.-China relations. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Nation, and she has received several media awards for her writing. Born and raised in China, and trained as a particle physicist, she worked on the Large Hadron Collider for over a decade.

Barbara Demick is an author and foreign correspondent, who was based in Beijing for The Los Angeles Times from 2007-14, and in previous postings covered Korea, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. She is author of Nothing to Envy (2010), which won the Baillie Gifford Award, Eat the Buddha (2020), and the forthcoming Daughters of the Bamboo Grove (2025). Her work has also won the Overseas Press Club’s human rights reporting award.

Isabel Hilton OBE is a London-based writer and broadcaster who focuses on climate, geopolitics and China. She has written for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The New York Times and The New Yorker, presented radio and television for the BBC, and is the author of multiple books including The Search for the Panchen Lama (2000). Hilton is the founder of the China Dialogue Trust, and is currently contributing editor at Prospect magazine. She was chair of judges for the Baillie Gifford Prize in 2024.

Jeffrey Wasserstrom is Chancellor’s Professor of History at UC Irvine, with a focus on modern China. He is the author, co-author, editor or co-editor of over a dozen books, including China in the 21st Century (2010), Vigil (2020) and the forthcoming The Milk Tea Alliance (2025). A frequent contributor to both scholarly periodicals and newspapers and magazines, he was editor of the Journal of Asian Studies (2008-2018), and co-edits the China section of the Los Angeles Review of Books.

Jury: Award for Outstanding Translated Chinese Literature

Eric Abrahamsen (chair) is an award-winning literary translator from Chinese to English. He co-founded Paper-Republic.org, a non-profit promoting Chinese literature in translation that is assisting the award. Abrahamsen won the 2015 Special Book Award of China, and was shortlisted for the National Translation Award. He is the recipient of translation grants from PEN and the NEA, and has written for The New York Times among others. He lived in China from 2001-16.

Xiaolu Guo is a Chinese-British novelist, memoirist and filmmaker. Her novels include A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers (2007) and I Am China (2014). Her memoir Once Upon A Time In The East (2017) won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was shortlisted for the Ondaatje Prize. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was a jury member for the Man Booker Prize 2019.

Nicky Harman is a translator of fiction from Chinese into English. Harman has won the 2020 Special Book Award of China, several PEN Translation Fund Awards, and was longlisted for Man Asian Literary Prize. Harman is a founding member of Paper-Republic.org, blogs about translation, teaches summer schools and judges translation competitions at the Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing, and The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators.

Ha Jin is a Chinese-American poet and novelist, who has published numerous books of fiction, poetry and nonfiction in English. He won the National Book Award for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award for his novel Waiting (1999), while War Trash (2004) also won the PEN/Faulkner Award, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Ha Jin’s work has been translated into over 30 languages. He teaches literature and creative writing at Boston University.

Perry Link is Professor of Comparative Literature/Chinese at University of California, Riverside, and Professor Emeritus of East Asian Studies at Princeton University. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1976, and specializes in 20th-century Chinese literature. His publications include The Uses of Literature (2000), An Anatomy of Chinese (2013) and, in Chinese, Banyang Suibi (Notes of a Semi-Foreigner).

FAQ

Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Book on China

What is the purpose and scope of the award?

The purpose of the Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Book on China is to reward and garner recognition for exceptional nonfiction book-length works, written in English for the general reader, that carry forward the conversation on China (or the greater Sinophone world and Chinese diaspora) and further our understanding of its complexities, and to encourage further work that engages deeply with the topic.

What are the criteria for selection of the winner?

The jury is encouraged to reward work based on the following broad criteria, but will decide the winner based on their own independent discernment.

Quality. Work that shines out for its assiduousness, ambition, clarity of thought and other measures of success, based on merit and disregarding of political stance.

Originality. Whether through reporting, research or analysis, work that contributes something new to the conversation around greater China that has not been said before.

Readability. Work that is easy for the general reader to follow without special prior knowledge, and whose writing and style is actively enjoyable.

What books qualify for consideration?

Qualifying books are nonfiction titles written for the general reader whose subject or setting is China, the greater Sinophone world or the Chinese diaspora.

The first U.S. edition (or first international edition if there is no U.S. edition) must be published in the calendar year under consideration (2024).

Only books published in the English language will be considered, published in print by a publishing house or imprint (not self-published/KDP).

Books written by authors with an official affiliation to China Books Review or its publishers are disqualified from consideration.

How do I submit a title?

We currently only accept submissions from publishers. All publishers are invited to submit titles that qualify for the award to listings[at]chinabooksreview.com before Feb 15, 2025, with the subject line “Nonfiction Prize submission”. In the body of the email please include the title, author, publisher (imprint) name, original publication date and publisher page link, and attach a full PDF of the book. In addition to publisher submissions, the jury will also consider a longlist of qualifying titles that were nominated by a wide range of China scholars, writers and experts. Publishers are encouraged to check this list to avoid submitting a book that is already under consideration.

How do you ensure fairness?

The nominated jury for the award has full independence to choose the shortlist, winner and honorable mention from qualifying books. They are instructed to disclose relationships with authors under consideration, and are able to recuse themselves from those discussions. The criteria of selection for the winner are based on merit alone, not background or beliefs.

Award for Outstanding Translated Chinese Literature

What is the purpose and scope of the award?

The purpose of the Award for Outstanding Translated Chinese Literature is to reward and garner recognition for exceptional works of literature that provoke thought and feeling, written in the Chinese language and translated into English, that further our understanding of China (or the greater Sinophone world and Chinese diaspora) and the human condition through the power of the written word in all its forms.

What are the criteria for selection of the winner?

The jury is encouraged to reward work based on the following broad criteria, but will decide the winner based on their own independent discernment.

Story. The ability of plot, character, theme and perspective to engage the reader deeply, making them think or feel strongly.

Style. The quality, originality and fluidity of language, as rendered into English by translation (not considering the original).

Substance. The skill with which themes and topics are examined (based on literary merit, not political or other viewpoint).

What books qualify for consideration?

Qualifying books are any form of fiction or nonfiction literature (including poetry) for the general reader, originally written in a Chinese language and translated into English, whose subject or setting is China, the greater Sinophone world or the Chinese diaspora.

The first U.S. edition (or first international edition if there is no U.S. edition) of the English translation must be published in the calendar year under consideration (2024).

Only books published in the English language will be considered, published in print by a publishing house or imprint (not self-published/KDP).

Books written or translated by authors with an official affiliation to China Books Review or its publishers are disqualified from consideration.

How do I submit a title?

We currently only accept submissions from publishers. All publishers are invited to submit titles that qualify for the award to listings[at]chinabooksreview.com before Feb 15, 2025, with the subject title “Translated Lit Prize submission”. In the body of the email please include the title, author, publisher (imprint) name, original publication date and publisher page link, and attach a full PDF of the book. In addition to publisher submissions, the jury will also consider a longlist of qualifying titles that were nominated by a wide range of China scholars, writers and experts. Publishers are encouraged to check this list to avoid submitting a book that is already under consideration.

How do you ensure fairness?

The nominated jury for the award has full independence to choose the shortlist, winner and honorable mention from qualifying books. They are instructed to disclose relationships with authors under consideration, and able to recuse themselves from those discussions. The criteria of selection for the winner are based on merit alone, not background or beliefs. ∎

Library book returned 63 years late with $1,000 donation

NISKAYUNA, N.Y. — A copy of Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” was recently returned to the Niskayuna High School library, 63 years after it was checked out. The book arrived anonymously by mail in November, accompanied by a note that simply read, “Apologies for the late return,” and a generous $1,000 donation.Library staff were surprised by the unexpected return and donation. Yeah, no, this is the only time we’ve gotten something like this, especially with a donation,” Niskayuna HS librarian Donna McAndrews said. “We might get books from 10 years ago that somebody discovered in their pile of stuff in their child’s room, but never something this old and never something that includes a donation.The library said it would not have charged a late fee, regardless of how overdue the book was. The package was shipped from an address in Somerville, Massachusetts, but despite some detective work, the identity of the generous and mysterious borrower remains unknown.It was completely unnecessary, but just kind of exciting and just was kind of uplifting for all of us,” Asst. Librarian Julie Lohre said. “I think you know that somebody thought and went to the trouble to do that.

Sarah J. Maas’ Best Books: FIRST Editors Share Their Top 8 Must-Reads

In recent years, the romantasy genre has taken the literary world by storm, and one particular author is the driving force behind this reading phenomenon: Sarah J. Maas. Known for her signature world-building, complex characters, heart-racing twists and steamy romance, Maas has written more than 15 books—and sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. She is also the reigning queen of BookTok (right now, hashtags related to Maas and her blockbuster A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series yield billions of views across the platform), which continues to fuel her success and grow her fandom.
Whether you’re new to the Maasverse or you’d just like to add more of Maas’ novels to your TBR, you’re in the right place! (If you want to reference a comprehensive reading guide, we suggest visiting the author’s site here. We chose our favorite titles across all of her bestselling works, but we recommend dipping into each series in order for the most immersive reading experience.) Here, we gathered up 8 of the best Sarah J. Maas novels—in no particular order—according to FIRST editors!
Keep scrolling to discover all our favorite SJM books from Throne of Glass to ACOTAR and more!

Bloomsbury
This riveting fantasy is Maas’ very first novel and follows Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan’s greatest assassin. After being sentenced to life in prison, Celaena gets the chance of a lifetime: to compete against 23 other murderers, thieves and warriors in a deadly competition. The prize? Her freedom, unimaginable riches and a chance to serve as the King’s Champion. But when an even more deadly outside force turns up, Celaena must decide what truly matters.
What editors are saying: “Celaena’s wit, humor and strength had me cheering for her from the get-go and Maas’ writing keeps you engaged from the very first page,” says Carey Ostergard, FIRST Executive Editor. “Plus, it’s the first of a series—so I cannot wait to read more!”

Bloomsbury
Power, loyalty and fiery love meld in this epic tale. Knowing that a war is on the way, Aelin Galathynius sets off on a journey to try and gather up allies, weapons and battle gear. But as monsters, old enemies and new threats arise, nothing can prepare the fire queen for what she is about to face. An enthralling adventure filled with team-ups and cameos of fan-favorite characters—both good and bad. 
What readers are saying: “This is by far my favorite book in the Throne of Glass series,” shares Carissa Mosness, FIRST Assistant Digital Editor. “Not only did Aelin and Rowan’s story sweep me off my feet, but I also found myself falling in love with Elide and Lorcan and was turning the pages long into the night, needing to know what happened next.” 

Bloomsbury
Maas’s stunning Throne of Glass series comes to an epic conclusion in this page-turning tale. Aelin Galathynius has gone from being a slave to a king’s assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom, and now she must draw on all her power to save her world from darkness—or risk losing everyone and everything she cares about…for good. 
What readers are saying: “Though Kingdom of Ash is the final book in an epic series, it is a wonderful read on its own,” says Ostergard. “The conclusion was equal parts explosive and enthralling—I always recommend the TOG series to all of my book-loving friends.”

Bloomsbury
Maas delivers a stunning Beauty and The Beast reimagining in A Court of Thorns and Roses. The tale follows 19-year-old huntress Feyre. After she kills a wolf to feed her family, she is kidnapped and dragged to a magical, treacherous land she’s only heard about in legends. Her captor? Tamlin, one of the most powerful faeries. Tamlin is a beast-like immortal, yet over the course of her captivity, Feyre begins to see Tamlin as more than a monster. But still, something doesn’t feel right in this enchanting place. A searing novel that hits every note of the Romantasy genre. 
What editors are saying: “A Court of Thorns and Roses was the first SJM book I ever read. Reading it felt like literally stepping into another realm,” says FIRST Senior Editor, Melissa D’Agnese. “Between Maas’ descriptive writing, intricate worlds and intriguing characters, I was obsessed—and Feyre’s fearlessness was inspiring!”

Bloomsbury
Feyre’s magical journey continues in A Court of Mist and Fury, the stunning sequel to ACOTAR—and it’s a classic romantasy fan-favorite! After deciding not to marry Tamlin, Feyre is left with no choice but to flee the Spring Court and head to the Night Court with its dangerous, deadly and handsome Lord Rhysand. But all is not what it seems when she gets there, and soon Feyre learns that maybe the friends, family and lover she was looking for were right under her nose the whole time. 
What readers are saying: “Feyre and Rhys will forever have a place in my heart,” shares Mosness. “Not only was their love story deeply moving, but it also kept surprising me and had me guessing until the very last page.” 

Bloomsbury
After a heartbreaking loss, the trauma of war and being transformed into an immortal against her will, Nesta Archeron has struggled to find a place in the world. The one person who can break down her defenses is the equally scarred warrior Cassian. Together, they battle monsters and find healing in each other’s arms.
What readers are saying: “SJM is one of my all-time favorite authors. When I picked up this epic fantasy, I was instantly drawn in,” says Ostergard. “I couldn’t get enough of this book and its message reminded me that love can ease any hurt!” 

Bloomsbury
With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance and page-turning suspense, the first installment of the Crescent City fantasy series has it all! After her closest friends are murdered by a demon, Bryce Quinlan teams up with a powerful fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, to track down the killer. Together, the two discover an even darker power that threatens everyone they hold dear…and a love that can offer them both redemption. 
What readers are saying: “I’ll admit it—at first the sheer length of this book was intimidating,” says D’Agnese. “But once I started reading the story, about half-Fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan, I couldn’t put it down. Bryce and Hunt’s journey was nothing short of exhilarating and the ending twist left me desperate for the next book!”

Bloomsbury
Maas returns with the third spellbinding, heart-racing saga in the beloved Crescent City series. After being stranded in a strange world, Bryce Quinlan has to do everything she can to get back home to Midgard. Meanwhile, Hunt Athalar finds himself stripped of his freedom in the Asteri’s dungeons with no way to help Bryce. Now, they must devise a new plan to save their world.
What readers are saying: “I truly love anything Sarah J. Maas does,” says Courtney Shapiro, FIRST Digital Associate Editor. “This was a great addition to the Crescent City series, and it was so nice to see all the growth from book one to now in the characters and the story. I was hooked from page one until the very last chapter—it’s always an adventure!”

Can books save lives? Professor Paul Crawford’s early life in Birmingham nearly destroyed him but also gave him new powers of survival, inspiring his latest novel, The Wonders of Doctor Bent

The Wonders of Doctor Bent by Paul CrawfordThe Wonders of Doctor Bent, reflects the ying and yang of my life in Birmingham. First, the horror of sexual abuse. Second, the route to recovery through writing that came with the gift of books on my first day of school at St Philip’s Grammar School on the Hagley Road, Edgbaston.The reader will understand that I need to cloak the details of the devastation that occurred in my childhood in Erdington (Ardinweald, in the novel, draws from origins of that suburb) and made a wound that can never heal. Instead, I will talk about the aftermath of a profound loss of trust, and how writing became the greatest salve and comfort.What were the two new books that the teachers placed on our desks that first day at St Philip’s School back in 1974? The Hobbit and The Bible.I read both books and relished the fact that J. R. R. Tolkien had attended the school for a time. Later, I learned that much of his writing reflected real Birmingham locations. This is something that features in my own fiction, not least The Wonders of Doctor Bent.Paul Crawford, author of The Wonders of Doctor BentAfter St Philip’s, my reading of The Bible led to me to train for religious ministry at St. Mary’s College Oscott, Sutton Coldfield, before some of the contradictions I found in that life took me away to the ‘church of the street’. Yet studying this book as an imaginative work provoked a profound interest in stories and language and their role in who we are and what we do to one another. This is something that was key to my recovery and building a career after the early trauma. Following short periods in London and Bristol, I returned to Birmingham, a wounded healer, working to support people’s mental health at All Saints Hospital, Winson Green. Whilst there, I completed a part-time Honours degree in English Literature and Language at the University of Central England (formerly Birmingham Polytechnic)—the same course comedian Frank Skinner joined a decade earlier! Winning a British Academy Award, I went on to complete a PhD on William Golding (Lord of the Flies etc.) at The University of Birmingham. Some recollections from that time feature in campus episodes in the new novel (most likely influences by fellow Birmingham novelist and critic, David Lodge). After graduating, I moved on to research mental health in Stafford before joining the University of Nottingham and becoming the world’s first Professor of Health Humanities, spearheading the application of the arts to promote healthy bodies and minds through my work at the Institute of Mental Health.Looking back, my writing life has grown out of complex, intergenerational trauma, not least through adverse experiences in childhood. Such experiences bring loss of trust so profound, so immense, that it has been a battle to edge around the hole in my soul that it left. Books and writing have been my self-prescribed medication.Merriam-Webster defines trust as “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something”, from Old Norse traust (trust) akin to Old English trēowe (faithful). Clearly, abusive events in childhood obliterate this “assured reliance” and, as many commentators note, building trust again can be a slow, titrated process. However, perhaps more note-worthy than the devastation of trust that occurred in my childhood and sent sharp-edged ripples into my future, is the marvel of recovery. How individuals recover from catastrophes in foundational relationships within their families should perhaps be our focus. In this sense survival is most impressive when it is least expected. We need to learn how individuals, for example, abused in their families, recover. What did they do to survive? What did others do to help them recover their identities? In my novel, The Wonders of Doctor Bent, I portray the devastating impact of different kinds of loss of trust but also the potential routes to recovery. The fiction delves into criminal accountability, mental health and the power of the arts to save individuals from mental decline. It asks, when everything is falling apart, whom do you trust? The worlds of Jason Hemp, an English lecturer, and Dr Bent, the unlikely Medical Director of high-security psychiatric hospital Foston Hall, come together in this dark tale of murder, revenge and abandonment. Attempting to track down his twin brother’s killer, Jason finds his life unravelling in unexpected and frightening ways, whilst visionary Dr Bent attempts to reform Foston Hall into a place of comfort, all while facing his own mental health challenges. It asks, when everything is falling apart, who do you trust? As Gene Beresin MD, MA, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School writes of the novel: In The Wonders of Doctor Bent, Paul Crawford brilliantly draws us in to the suffering of his characters – their battles with the impact of adverse childhood experiences and trauma on loss, grief and depression. It makes a compelling case for all of us to seek recovery, as health professionals and lay individuals alike.From one Brummie to all those who have suffered mentally from trauma in their lives, I wish you the comfort of books. Books really can save lives. They saved mine.The Wonders of Doctor Bent is out 25th February 2025 and is available at Amazon, WHSmith, Waterstones, and all major retailers.Continue Reading