In this edition of 4th Estate’s regular video series RE4DINGS James Macdonald Lockhart gives one of his first ever readings from his stunning debut Raptor.
RE4DINGS looks to introduce viewers to the enthralling personalities behind the books we publish, and this edition is no different. James’ reading is quiet and intimate, leading you on a walk through the wilderness of Orkney with its arresting poetic prose. James’ love for this island is palpable; the way he describes the wind may even leave you with a slight chill. Read more…
We are incredibly excited to bring you a cover reveal infused with some added Hollywood glamour. In fact, we like to think of it more as a cover premiere. To celebrate the release of the film adaptation of High-Rise, the new film from acclaimed director Ben Wheatley in UK cinemas March 18th, we’re reissuing J.G. Ballard’s classic satirical sci-fi novel with a new star-studded front cover. Take a look.
‘My novel Mainlander is set in Jersey over twelve days in October 1987. It features some very tangled relationships, so here I have tried to imagine how the characters would have approached Valentine’s Day, had it fallen within the timeframe of the book.’ Read more…
Red Lipstick is the Little Black Dress of beauty. No item sums up beauty so succinctly – if you had to imagine a make-up item, you would probably picture a red lipstick before foundation or mascara. Red is powerful, strong, smart, bold, sexy, lethally feminine and iconic (try to imagine Marilyn Monroe without her glossy, orangey-red lips – it’s not possible). Read more…
‘The music of Dire Straits features a few times in my novel Mainlander. This is pleasing to me because Mark Knopfler is a songwriter whom I find both fantastic and underrated (sample rhyme – “baker’s boy” and “Iroquois”). However I included the references less from my personal mission to see him receive the acclaim he deserves (not that he needs my help, I’m sure his friendship with Bob Dylan is all the approval he needs), and more because his songs are synonymous with the eighties (the book is set in 1987), and particularly with the types of characters featured in the book. Read more…
This month 4th Estate launched a new series, 4th Shorts, publishing two short story collections – Barbara the Slut by Lauren Holmes and Single, Carefree, Mellow by Katherine Heiny in distinctive pocket-size paperback A formats with flaps.
‘This is a light but hearty pancake made from chickpea flour and grated carrots. I made these a lot while staying with my sister in California, and they are what Californian cooking is all about for me – delicious, nourishing, light and bright. Chickpea flour is cheap and easy to find; it will be in the Indian section at the supermarket and may be called gram flour.
‘Though she be but little, she is fierce!’ – Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 3, Scene 2,
Let’s celebrate the little things in life, because some of the best things come in unexpectedly small passages. You should never judge a book by its cover, and especially never by its size. Read more…
