Universality by Natasha Brown review – a fabulous fable about the politics of storytelling
A terrific second novel from the British author of Assembly examines what it means to be truthful – and who really benefits when facts come to light
The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue review – countdown to disaster
A train on a fateful trajectory is the location for a zippy Agatha Christie-like thriller giving a taste of life in fin-de-siècle France
The Guardian view on climate fiction: no longer the stuff of sci-fi
A new prize recognises the power of storytelling to address the biggest issue of our time
Stag Dance by Torrey Peters review – genre games and gender mischief
The follow-up to Detransition, Baby is a collection of short works ranging from dystopia to romance that delight in complicating identity politics
The Clinking by Susie Greenhill review – a stunning, devastating debut
The Richell Prize-winner’s novel, set in a near-future lutruwita/Tasmania, asks what does it mean to have hope in the face of climate crisis?
I Want to Go Home But I’m Already There by Róisín Lanigan review – a housing crisis ghost story
London’s property market is the villain in this wry gothic novel for generation rent
Debut picture book author wins $125,000 for autobiographical ‘visual feast’
Nukgal Wurra author and artist Wanda Gibson became the first person to win the Victorian premier’s literary award in both the children’s and overall categories for her book Three Dresses
Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah review – love and betrayal from the Nobel laureate
This is a powerful story of debt and obligation set against the tourism boom in post-colonial Tanzania
Samantha Harvey and Téa Obreht shortlisted for inaugural Climate fiction prize
The Orbital and Morningside authors join Abi Daré, Roz Dineen and Kaliane Bradley in the running for the £10,000 award, for inspiring ways to ‘rise to the challenges of the climate crisis with hope and inventiveness’
Blanche d’Alpuget on her racy new detective novel: ‘All my books have had quite a bit of sex’
The author and widow of former prime minister Bob Hawke turns from political biography and historical fiction to a crime caper set in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors review – batty antics with a Rocky Horror bloodsucker
As a gym-bunny vampire channelling Frank-N-Furter, James Daly leads a superb cast in a gender and genre-inverting romp that lacks bite
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins review – second Hunger Games prequel is not for the faint-hearted
Moments of lyricism and literary flourishes help to leaven the grimness as the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy, eventual mentor to Katniss Everdeen, takes centre stage
Crime and thrillers of the month – review
A scientist’s chilling struggle for survival at the ends of the Earth, the search for a serial killer’s final victim, and murder on the mountains in DS Max Craigie’s latest case
Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah review – a masterclass in quicksilver storytelling
The Nobel laureate’s wonderful new novel connects a trio of east African teens as they come of age, moving from small-scale dramas to wide-ranging social panoramas
Stories of Ireland by Brian Friel review – a solid gold treat
Originally published in 1979, this tremendous set of stories by the great Irish playwright is full of country folk looking to make their mark