Boxer, Beetle

Ned Beauman

Not for the easily shocked, this intelligent and witty tale switches between the early 1930s and the present day. Its protagonists include a collector of Nazi memorabilia who smells of fish, a bisexual foul mouthed Jewish boxer and a scientist who studies eugenics and beetles. One of the most original and creative novels I’ve ever read.

Extract

When I am in a stressful situation, I often like to ask myself: what would Batman do in my place? I find Batman so inspiring – his intelligence, his tenacity, his self-sacrifice – that it sometimes makes me slightly tearful. But the trouble is, it’s hard to imagine Batman in a Little Chef.

Parallels