• Birth of a Theorem by Cédric Villani. What goes on inside the mind of a brilliant mathematician? Villani takes us on an incredible journey as he works on a new theorem that will win him the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for maths, saying that appreciating maths can be like watching an episode of Columbo. (Bodley Head, March 5)
    Birth of a Theorem by Cédric Villani. What goes on inside the mind of a brilliant mathematician? Villani takes us on an incredible journey as he works on a new theorem that will win him the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for maths, saying that appreciating maths can be like watching an episode of Columbo. (Bodley Head, March 5)
  • The Kindness by Polly Samson. We first meet Julian, in despair and full of rage when Julia, eight years older and the love of his life, and their young daughter Mira are no longer with him. As the novel progresses we learn why but this is the story of a passionate love affair and an explosive secret that Julia has been keeping. (Bloomsbury, March 12)
    The Kindness by Polly Samson. We first meet Julian, in despair and full of rage when Julia, eight years older and the love of his life, and their young daughter Mira are no longer with him. As the novel progresses we learn why but this is the story of a passionate love affair and an explosive secret that Julia has been keeping. (Bloomsbury, March 12)
  • The Librarian by Mikhail Elizarov. A satirical fable of post-Soviet Russia, involving books with magic powers and old babushkas fighting with scythes. A blend of myth, reality and black humour, which examines the search for meaning in a chaotic world. It won the Russian version of the Booker Prize in 2008. (Pushkin Press, March 12)
    The Librarian by Mikhail Elizarov. A satirical fable of post-Soviet Russia, involving books with magic powers and old babushkas fighting with scythes. A blend of myth, reality and black humour, which examines the search for meaning in a chaotic world. It won the Russian version of the Booker Prize in 2008. (Pushkin Press, March 12)
  • Creative Truths in Provincial Policing by Paula Lichtarowicz. Chief Duong is a police chief in Vietnam. He is a simple man but he has some problems: a mute son who’s wanted by the authorities, a kidnapped daughter and an overambitious deputy. Luckily he has his manual, Creative Truths in Provincial Policing. (Hutchinson, March 26)
    Creative Truths in Provincial Policing by Paula Lichtarowicz. Chief Duong is a police chief in Vietnam. He is a simple man but he has some problems: a mute son who’s wanted by the authorities, a kidnapped daughter and an overambitious deputy. Luckily he has his manual, Creative Truths in Provincial Policing. (Hutchinson, March 26)
  • Fashion on the Ration by Julie Summers. For women during the Second World War, fashion was not a distraction but a necessity. This sumptuous book accompanies a major exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, showing how fashion was influenced by Hollywood and the demands of industrial production. (Profile, March 5)
    Fashion on the Ration by Julie Summers. For women during the Second World War, fashion was not a distraction but a necessity. This sumptuous book accompanies a major exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, showing how fashion was influenced by Hollywood and the demands of industrial production. (Profile, March 5)

Our top six books this week: the tragic life of Stalin’s daughter and much more

John Dennehy
John Dennehy

March 26, 2015

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Take a look at the top six books we’re reading this week.

Book reviews