Theft

Luke Browns Theft is acerbic but tender, biting but elegiac, a snapshot of early twenty-first century life in which the unceasing prospect of catastrophe is the new normal. Colin Barrett'It's a rare thrill to find a writer with Luke Brown's gift for nimbly navigating the maze of gentrification, Brexit, and the gig economy with dark, effervescent hilarity. Theft is a funhouse mirror held up to the grim absurdity of our political moment, a quick-witted tale of generational crisis, and an incredibly poignant and funny take on what happens after bad turns to worse. Alexandra Kleeman'A raw, funny, surprisingly tender novel about belonging, class, and what makes a life a success. I loved the central brother/sister relationship and how the book confronted masculinity and the disparity between womanhood and the male experience. I grew so fond of the protagonist, and devoured the book in a day. Dolly Alderton'I love Luke Browns intimate detailing of both the tiny fault lines and vast chasms that divide us. This Britain is both utterly recognisable and freshly revealed and the writing assured, funny and always humane. Catherine O'Flynn'Its rare to read something as cuttingly funny which is also this wise and humane, even while the plot moves like the twist of a knife. What do we choose? Whats already been chosen for us? In creating a protagonist and a scene so specific and forensically well-observed, Brown delivers a state of the nation / state of masculinity novel with the ebullience and momentum of a writer discovering his true and specific powers. Luke Kennard'Theft is a witty, tender and insightful portrait of a city, and a life, at a time of crisis. Its engrossing and charming and made me laugh many, many times. Nicole Flattery