One of the best books I’ve read this year

“A robber charges into a bank with a loaded gun, but instead of taking any money he steals an item of sentimental value from each person. Once he has made his escape, strange things start to happen to the victims.

A tattoo comes to life, a husband turns into a snowman, a baby starts to shit money. And Stacey Hinterland discovers that she’s shrinking, a little every day, and there is seemingly nothing that she or her husband can do to reverse the process.

Can Stacey and the other victims find a solution before it is too late?”

Oh, I really wanted to write a very fabulous review about ‘The Tiny Wife’ by Andrew Kaufman. I wanted to tell you all that I read the perfectly formed narrative in one sitting. I wanted to talk about the very brilliant illustrations, that it is (without a doubt) right up there in the top 5 books I’ve read this year. I wanted to talk about the truly excellent characterisation and the effortless prose. I wanted to tell you that I wish that I had the skill to write something quite so brilliant and that I’m ridiculously excited as I’ve read nothing else by this author and there’s more to explore.

But, really, I think what I should say is that I was sent a proof of ‘The Tiny Wife’ but I still feel the need to order a real copy, a proper published copy, to stroke and love forever. And, if you know me, you’ll know how rare an occurrence that is. (Oh, and Karl, if you’re reading this, don’t order a copy as I’m getting you one for Christmas. Thanks, love you!)

Seriously, if (like me) you like your fiction to be charmingly wonky then do treat yourself to ‘The Tiny Wife’. I guarantee that you won’t be, not even slightly, disappointed.

It’s so much better than good.