The Impressionist (SIGNED)

Breathtaking in scope and peopled with a cast of fantastical characters, this debut from the young heir apparent to Zadie Smith's throne is undeniably impressive. It tells the story of Pran Nath - a 'blackie-whitey' (i.e. of mixed parentage) who is cast from the family home when the identity of his real, English father is discovered. He is then taken in by some eunuch prostitutes, that being one of the more normal fates to befall him. Set in India in the early decades of the 20th century, it captures well the everyday madness of that bewildering country, but for some, the endless hyphenated names, digressions into Moghul history and bizarre scene upon bizarre scene will be too much. One exotic dish in a restaurant is enjoyable - 10 in a row can begin to cloy.