Plight of the urban Native

FICTION

There, There by Tommy Orange (Harvill Secker, £12.99; ebook £9.99) *****

IT sounds pretentious to say a book is important, but There, There by Tommy Orange, his debut novel, is, dumbfoundingly important. A powwow is coming up in Oakland, California, and there's a lot of money to be made. Time flits and flurries, as Orange builds up the months and years before the event, with each chapter hinging on a different character who has a part to play in the powwow. He shares their histories, their troubles, and the way they individually intersect with their Native American heritage (or perceived lack of it, in cases). There's Blue, trying to find a way back to her grandsons; Octavio learning to dance like his ancestors via Youtube; Tony, whose face reveals the foetal alcohol syndrome, his mother's legacy. The book grapples with the impact of alcoholism, gang violence, rape, domestic abuse, obesity, technology, absent parents, loss and grief - but that makes it sound soul-destroying. It's not, despite the darkness and pain, inflicted upon a nation and articulated bluntly and beautifully by Orange, it's magnificent, bold, educational and forthright. It's something of a masterpiece.

Ella Walker

The Madonna Of Bolton by Matt Cain (Unbound, £14.99; ebook 99p) ****

CHARLIE is a boy growing up in Bolton who knows he's a bit different to most of the other lads at school. He's got no interest in football and feels like most of his 9th birthday presents were bought for someone else, until trendy Auntie Jan turns up with the Madonna single Lucky Star. While his parents joke about Madonna sounding like she's inhaled helium, Charlie is immediately captivated and the "dead good" song makes him feel uplifted and happy. Her songs become a soundtrack to his life and a welcome escape as the bright schoolboy tries to shrug off bullies and plan his escape from Bolton in chapters inspired by Madonna songs. There's heartbreak and homophobia but in general, it's a light-hearted, easy read that skims over the darker times. Cain, former editor-in-chief of Attitude magazine, published through Unbound, where would-be readers pledge financial support to get writers' ideas into print. It was Unbound's fastest ever funded novel so there is clearly an eager audience for this entertaining book, which is published to coincide with Madonna's 60th birthday in August.

Beverley Rouse

Putney by Sofka Zinovieff (Bloomsbury Circus, £14.99; ebook £12.99) ***

DESPITE the title, much of the action and characters in Sofka Zinovieff's latest novel are linked to Greece, a place she writes about beautifully. Putney looks back at the past from three different perspectives, through the eyes of Daphne, her friend Jane and family friend Ralph. It revolves around Ralph's relationship with Daphne, which started when she was nine and became sexual when she was 13. Daphne felt like she was in love, but is reconsidering whether the relationship was actually abuse, now that she is older and has a daughter herself. It tries to be an edgy, Lolita-style story, but ends up romanticising the "love" between Daphne and Ralph. While it's accepted that Ralph is a paedophile, the fact we hear so much of his perspective and the way their love is glamourised, it's as though we're being asked to not wholly blame him. It begs the question - do we really need a book that puts paedophilia in a grey area? It was rape, and it feels like Zinovieff is trying to be provocative for provocation's sake.

Prudence Wade

Being 'human' is the cure

NON-FICTION

Notes On A Nervous Planet by Matt Haig (Canongate, £14.99; ebook £10.39) *****

THREE years ago, novelist Matt Haig published a book about his mental ill-health, explaining his experience of suicidal thoughts, depression and anxiety - and his methods for coping. This rainbow-backed follow-up was inspired by the parallels Haig observed between the causes of a nervous breakdown, and the pressures of stressful, consumerist societies - how individualism is encouraged, yet thinking as an individual is forbidden; how satisfaction can be manipulated into wanting more. For example, Twitter is a paradoxical supplier of support and vitriol. Haig likens tech addiction to any other substance abuse, but this drug destroys your confidence, trust, ability to reason and show compassion. The 'cure' is much the same: control your social media use and "be human". It's still a personal account, but Haig's short chapters, often only a couple of pages, blur the lines between commentary, self-help guide and quotation book. Although it's short, reading in one sitting is a heavy dosage. Dip in as and when needed.

Natalie Bowen

CHILDREN'S

Mystery Of The Skull by Pamela Butchart (Hodder Children's Books, £6.99; ebook £3.49) ****

THE Mystery Of The Skull marks a return to the world of Enid Blyton's much-loved Secret Seven series, and the first time ever that a new author has taken on the mantle. While a daunting task to tackle, award-winning children's author Pamela Butchart really does Blyton justice, with all the adventure, mystery and charm of the original books lovingly recreated. The Secret Seven are back in this story - the first of two from the author of My Headteacher Is A Vampire Rat - to solve the mystery of the ominous skull that appeared in Peter's bedroom over the summer holidays. From midnight rides in pyjamas, to a hilarious recreation of a crime scene, Peter, his sister Janet and their friends Jack, George, Pam, Barbara and Colin get into all sorts of daring scrapes as they investigate the mysterious activities at the local hotel. With renowned illustrator Tom Ross on board, this book will appeal to readers of the original series and new fans alike, who will be left keenly waiting for Butchart's second instalment.

Holly Williams

BEST SELLERS

HARDBACKS

1. Notes On A Nervous Planet by Matt Haig

2. The World's Worst Children 3 by David Walliams

3. 5 Ingredients by Jamie Oliver

4. First Man In: Leading from the Front by Ant Middleton

5. How To Be Famous by Caitlin Moran

6. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson

7. Spitfire: A Very British Love Story by John Nichol

8. Useless Magic: Lyrics and Poetry by Florence Welch

9. Arnhem:The Battle for the Bridges, 1944 by Antony Beevor

10. The Secret Barrister