A collection of John Carey’s greatest, wisest, and wittiest reviews – amassed over a lifetime of writing.

In 1977, newly installed as a professor of English at Oxford, John Carey took the position of chief book reviewer for the Sunday Times. In a career spanning over forty years and upwards of 1,000 reviews, Carey has kept abreast of the brightest and best books of the day, distilling his thoughts each week for the entertainment of Sunday readers.

Contained in this volume is the cream of that substantial crop: a choice selection of the books which Carey has most cherished. Covering subjects as diverse as the science of laughter, the art of Grayson Perry, the history of madness, and Sylvia Plath’s letters, this is a collection of treats and surprises, suffused with careful thought, wisdom, and enjoyment. The result is a compendium of titles that have stood the test of time, offered with Carey’s warmest recommendation.