Learning to Die

Thomas Maloney

‘A crisply written and ferociously intelligent account of a disparate group of thirtysomethings trying to make sense of the world they inhabit, and a welcome reminder that the English novel — as opposed to all the other kinds clamouring for our attention — is alive and well.’

D.J. Taylor, author of The Prose Factory

‘Poetical and lyrical … we are immersed in the characters and drawn helplessly into the story’s flow … Maloney spares neither his own characters, nor his readers — and this is as it should be.’

Tadhg Coakley, Irish Examiner

View all reviews

‘Startling and sad but also sly, punchy and full of heart — I admire Maloney for going where few novels dare.’

Julie Myerson, author of The Stopped Heart

Death is a bird of paradise: we all know what it is, but it can be many different things that aren’t at all alike.

Is thirty already too late to reconsider? Natalie, usually so conscientious, can’t remember why her life is following Plan B. Dan’s unclouded vision of the universe has never extended to understanding his wife. But their marriage has some precious ember at its core, doesn’t it?

Meanwhile, trader Mike is relieved to discover that it doesn’t matter if there’s a void where the weightiest substance of your character should be. Fearless mountaineer Brenda sweats and trembles in a crowded room. And James, pacing and fidgeting in a cage of his own design, doesn’t know how to unfollow his dreams.

This vivaciously intelligent novel follows five characters as they confront a painful truth that none is expecting so soon, but that might just help them learn how to live.

D.J. Taylor, author of The Prose Factory

Tadhg Coakley, Irish Examiner

View all reviews

BUY EBOOK

Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 210mm × 148mm

Extent:288pp

ISBN (13):9781911344308

RRP:£12.99

Pub date:9 Aug 2018

Rights Held: World

High-res cover:Download Image

AWARDS

CATEGORIES / tags

AUTHOR

Thomas Maloney

Thomas Maloney was born in Kent in 1979, grew up in London, and studied Physics at Oxford. His first novel, The Sacred Combe, was published in 2016. He lives in Oxfordshire with his family.

The Sacred Combe

Thomas Maloney

RRP: £14.99 Pub date: 12 May 2016 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Sacred Combe

Thomas Maloney

RRP: £8.99 Pub date: 8 Mar 2018 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

Learning to Die

Thomas Maloney

RRP: £8.99 Pub date: 11 Jul 2019 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

How We Are Translated

Jessica Gaitán Johannesson

RRP: £8.99 Pub date: 13 Jan 2022 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Newcomer

Laura Elizabeth Woollett

RRP: £9.99 Pub date: 9 Dec 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Sisters Mao

Gavin McCrea

RRP: £16.99 Pub date: 9 Sep 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Sisters Mao

Gavin McCrea

RRP: £14.99 Pub date: 9 Sep 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Liquid Land

Raphaela Edelbauer

RRP: £14.99 Pub date: 12 Aug 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Animals in That Country

Laura Jean McKay

RRP: £8.99 Pub date: 8 Jul 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Snow Line

Tessa McWatt

RRP: £14.99 Pub date: 8 Jul 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Union of Synchronised Swimmers

Cristina Sandu

RRP: £9.99 Pub date: 10 Jun 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida

Clarissa Goenawan

RRP: £8.99 Pub date: 13 May 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

Higher Ground

Anke Stelling

RRP: £14.99 Pub date: 8 Apr 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

How We Are Translated

Jessica Gaitán Johannesson

RRP: £12.99 Pub date: 11 Feb 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

A Room Called Earth

Madeleine Ryan

RRP: £14.99 Pub date: 14 Jan 2021 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

Up the Down Staircase

Bel Kaufman

RRP: £9.99 Pub date: 10 Dec 2020 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Eighth Life

Nino Haratischvili

RRP: £9.99 Pub date: 12 Nov 2020 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida

Clarissa Goenawan

RRP: £12.99 Pub date: 8 Oct 2020 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

Baby

Annaleese Jochems

RRP: £8.99 Pub date: 10 Sep 2020 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

The Animals in That Country

Laura Jean McKay

RRP: £14.99 Pub date: 10 Sep 2020 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Quick view

Among the Lost

Emiliano Monge

RRP: £9.99 Pub date: 7 Apr 2020 Category: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Cover view

Learning to Die

Thomas Maloney

Related content

AUTHOR