Join us and share your passion for reading! A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee has been revealed as our new Book Club book.

Every two months we will meet virtually over tea and biscuits to discuss some of the best works in contemporary literature. We’ll explore short stories, novels, non-fiction, poetry, and works in translation, making these informal and friendly sessions the perfect way to meet like-minded readers and to discover exciting new reads. We’ll always choose books that are easy to purchase in hard copy online or via Kindle.

Virtual Book Club: A Rising Man

Our next virtual book club will discuss A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee (published by Vintage), the first in his Sam Wyndham series of historical crime novels set in Calcutta/Kolkata during the time of the British Raj occupation of India. It’s a hugely interesting book that follows jaded English intelligence officer Sam Wyndham and his Indian deputy Sergeant ‘Surrender-not’ Bannerjee as they investigate the murder of a high-ranking British official. Ian Rankin called A Rising Man ‘a thought-provoking rollercoaster’, and C J Samson ‘an exceptional historical crime novel’.

Abir’s novel takes us from the palaces and plantations to the backstreets, brothels and opium dens of Calcutta. It poses really interesting questions about otherness as well as being a hugely readable and satisfying crime story.

There are plenty of ways for you to get involved with the book club from home:

Subscribe and listen to the Writing Life podcast

Tune in to our episode of The Writing Life podcast where Flo Reynolds gives a brief introduction to the Book Club and Abir’s book.

Join our new online community

We’ve launched a new community space on Discord to help readers and writers connect in these unusual times. Book Club members were the first to be invited, so come and join the discussion! Find out more

Take part in a virtual book club discussion via Zoom

If you’re looking for something a little more interactive, you can join us in March for a virtual book club discussion by video! Just sign-up for free and we will send you instructions ahead of time.

Spaces are limited so we recommend booking your place in advance.

Friday 21 May, 5.30 – 7pm BST

Tuesday 25 May, 5.30 – 7pm BST

Suggested activities, writing exercises and further recommended reading

Explore questions for readers here

Try a writing exercise inspired by A Rising Man

Stay tuned for  further recommended reading!

Where can I buy the book?

Place an order with The Book Hive. Mention the NCW Book Club and they will give you 10% off!

A Rising Man is also available for purchase as an eBook.

Many of your favourite independent bookshops are continuing their business online or by phone and will deliver anywhere in the UK. Why not give them a shout?

You can shop over 150 independent bookshops online now at uk.bookshop.org

Norwich – The Book Hive, Jarrold, Tombland Books, Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, Abstract Sprockett, Norfolk Children’s Book Centre

London – Burley Fisher Books, Daunt Books, Brick Lane Bookshop, Pages of Hackney, Dulwich Books, Stoke Newington Bookshop, South Kensington Books, Newham Bookshop, Pages of Cheshire Street, The All Good Bookshop, Pickled Pepper Books, Owl Bookshop, Persephone Books

Edinburgh – Golden Hare Books, Typewronger Books

Wadhurst – Barnetts Books

York – Ken Spelman Books

Petersfield – The Petersfield Bookshop

Stockton-on-Tees – Drake the Bookshop

Arundel and Chichester – Kim’s Bookshop

Nottingham – Five Leaves Bookshop

Hexham, Northumberland – Cogito Books

Explore The Bookseller’s list of independent bookshops and the services they can offer