Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Helen DeWitt - author of ‘The Last Samurai’ - has a new book out!

10 replies

NorWouldTilly · 29/10/2025 16:19

It’s called ‘Your Name Here’ - and if you read her earlier book you’ll comprehend why news of a new one is making me almost shiver with anticipation. ‘Samurai’ was indeed a work of breathtaking genius (it literally almost made my heart stop at one point) so it would be unreasonable to hope for that level of achievement again from anyone. And this new book has been co-written. But still …

Whoop!

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/books/helen-dewitt-your-name-here.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xE8.djsu.Fage3B-Tz7Ob&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Helen DeWitt at home in Berlin, with pages from works in progress behind her.

Helen DeWitt’s New Novel Almost Drove Her To Despair

Helen DeWitt’s bewildering co-written novel, “Your Name Here,” took almost 20 years to publish, a process that nearly drove her to despair.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/books/helen-dewitt-your-name-here.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xE8.djsu.Fage3B-Tz7Ob&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

OP posts:
NorWouldTilly · 29/10/2025 23:58

Someone else must have read ‘The Last Samurai’?

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 30/10/2025 21:19

I started it and couldn't get into it at all I'm afraid. I haven't dismissed the idea of trying again one day.

NorWouldTilly · 30/10/2025 22:56

Oh my! I read the opening chapter and it was as if no one in the entire history of the world had ever grasped and understood and pinned down the stumbling, accidental vastness of failure in the way she did.

But maybe the new book might speak to you?

For some reason I’ve been able to download a kindle sample, even though the print edition won’t be available until December. I’m waiting for an auspicious moment to start reading.

OP posts:
whippetwoman · 31/10/2025 22:25

I have read The Last Samurai fairly recently and I thought it was brilliant. I'm really glad she has a new novel out and I didn't know that, so thank you. I will definitely look out for it. Can't wait.

loosestrife · 11/11/2025 15:38

I loved The Last Samurai and have been waiting eagerly for Your Name Here. Delighted to have it finally.

TheBirches · 11/11/2025 15:42

NorWouldTilly · 29/10/2025 23:58

Someone else must have read ‘The Last Samurai’?

Yes, it's brilliant. She's a genius. It says a lot about the state of publishing that she's found it so hard to find publishers for her subsequent work.

NorWouldTilly · 11/11/2025 17:14

When you say have it, @loosestrife - please tell me if you have a physical book in your possession! Amazon tells me December 11th (one month to go) and I’m reluctant to start the kindle sample while there will still be a long wait for the rest.

(For admirers of - almost - that level of genius, I highly recommend Rosalind Belben’s ‘Hound Music’.)

OP posts:
NorWouldTilly · 11/11/2025 17:14

And yes, @TheBirches - indeed …

OP posts:
loosestrife · 11/11/2025 19:37

I'm sorry @NorWouldTilly , I don't have the physical book -- just the Kobo epub edition. I'm in the US though so the release schedule might be different.

And thanks for the recommendation. I hadn't heard of Rosalind Belben and will investigate Hound Music.

I look forward to reading about what you, @TheBirches, and anyone else who plans to read it think of Your Name Here. I haven't started it yet -- I've been saving it for an upcoming flight. (Which is tomorrow!✈️)

NorWouldTilly · 11/11/2025 19:47

Hope it’s an epic journey!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread