The Guardian Bookshop makes over 180,000 books available with up to 40% discount, as well as highlighting some of our favourite publications in each genre.
Find out more.
An unashamedly autobiographical novel from Howard Jacobson, telling the hilarious and heartbreaking story of one man's coming of age in 1950s Manchester. "Poignant, moving, hilarious...laugh-out-loud funny...the sort of book that might change your life" "Observer". "There are few novelists today who can imbue the trifles of life with such poetry" "Independent".
Synopsis
From the beginning, Oliver Walzel is a natural - at ping-pong; he can chop, flick and half-volley like a champion. At sex he is not a natural, but with tuition his game improves. This is the story of coming-of-age in 1950s Manchester.