The month of June kicks off Reading the World. As part of this project, the NBCC has asked writers from around the globe to recommend a book from beyond these shores. We asked Paula Guran (pictured left), editorial director of Juno Books, and sometime contributor to “Fantasy,” among other journals, what book (or which writer) she had to recommend. Here's what she said.
“Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel (UK: Fourth Estate, US: Henry Holt) A weird, witty, dark, and superbly written novel about Alison Hart, a plus-size medium, who pleases the public with benign flim-flam while being, perhaps, truly in touch with sleazy spirits in a decidedly depressive afterlife. Hilarious, haunting, and open to a multitude of interpretations — all of which are probably correct.”