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The New Life

Winner of The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year 2024

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

*Shortlist, Debut Fiction, 2023 Nero Book Awards *

London, 1894. John and Henry have a vision for a new way of life. But as the Oscar Wilde trial ignites public outcry, everything they long for could be under threat.

After a lifetime spent navigating his desires, John has finally found a man who returns his feelings. Meanwhile, Henry is convinced that his new unconventional marriage will bring freedom.

United by a shared vision, they begin work on a revolutionary book arguing for the legalisation of homosexuality.

Before it can be published however, Oscar Wilde is arrested and their daring book threatens to throw them, and all around them, into danger. How high a price are they willing to pay for a new way of living?

*** This audiobook includes an exclusive conversation between Freddie Fox and Tom Crewe ***

'A very fine new writer' Kate Atkinson

'Electrifying' Anne Enright

'Filled with nuance and tenderness... charting the lives of men and women who inspired not only political progress but an entire new way of living and loving' Colm Tóibín

© Tom Crewe 2023 (P) Penguin Audio 2023

 Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Romance

Critic reviews

I loved this book (Zadie Smith)
'Tom Crewe inhabits the minds, lives and bodies of his visionary late-nineteenth century characters with almost eerie precision and intensity. The result is subtle, sexy and beautifully crafted - a wonderful book'
'Clever and kind, The New Life is a book of wonderful generosity and compassion'
Crewe is a stunning writer, one of great deliberate precision and clarity... I could not recommend this book more (Pandora Sykes)
It is a pleasure to discover a young novelist with such a wise sensibility - and also, one who can construct such convincing characters.
This is a corker... one of the literary debuts of the year
'Extraordinary in its depiction of reform and liberalism in Britain in the late-1800s'
The New Life is filled with nuance and tenderness, steeped in the atmosphere of late nineteenth century London, a world on the brink of social and sexual change. Tom Crewe's brilliant novel dramatizes the relationship between the visionary and the brave, charting the lives of men and women who inspired not only political progress but an entire new way of living and loving. (Colm Tóibín)
'A beautifully written debut set in Victorian London... some of the best writing on desire I've read'
[Tom Crewe is] a very fine new writer (Kate Atkinson)
All stars
Most relevant
A good story which despite some self conscious writing, grips the ear.
An excellent final sentence.

Above and beyond pastiche

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Whilst there are some graphic parts in this story, especially at the start, these are necessary to give the characters their multi dimensional levels. The story, whilst a blend of fiction and documented history, is based on the realities and 'choices' that homosexuals faced at that point in our British history.... frighteningly not that long ago. Extremely well read too. So glad to have listened to this book.

Don't let the graphic start put you off

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Brilliant writing, deeply moving story. Extremely well read. Great sense of time, place and pain caused by having to stay hidden.

Brilliant tender tragic hopeful

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A very vividly written book, superb characters and profound story. Each characters pain or enjoyment was evident in this writing.

Wonderful narration of beautiful prose

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No doubt an important story to tell, despite it only being inspired by vaguely true events. The LGBTQ battle to be accepted is still ongoing and if you changed the time setting and replaced ‘invert’ with ‘trans’ it could be a book about today’s main fight. Wonderful narration and some truly moving passages. My only criticism is that at times it flip flopped from being very dry to being overly dramatic. The writer is no Alan Hollinghurst or James Cahill sadly.

The ongoing fight

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