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Nathan Harris’ best-selling debut, The Sweetness of Water , was long-listed for the 2021 Booker Prize. In his new novel, Amity , a brother and sister recently emancipated from slavery in New Orleans travel separately through Mexico seeking true freedom.

‘The Good Lord Bird’ by James McBride (2013)

This is McBride at his best, blending historical fiction of the highest order with his signature sense of humor. It’s something of a buddy travelogue, one that never runs out of steam, even as you know where it ultimately ends up. Buy it here .

‘The Remains of the Day’ by Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)

I can still hear Butler Stevens’ voice in my ear

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