Reading lists

Where to start reading Mary Lawson

With fans such as Graham Norton and Anne Tyler, Mary Lawson is a writer whose books are loved by critics and readers all over the world. Here's a guide to her work so far...

Mary Lawson's books stacked against a pink background with a flower to the right
Two of Mary Lawson's books have been longlisted for the Booker Prize

Beloved by book clubs and a perfect next read for fans of Anne Tyler, Elizabeth Strout and Alice Munro, Mary Lawson's work deftly and poignantly evokes the tightly woven units of small-town communities and families, navigating their joys and sorrows, their traumas and their loves. The characters are unforgettable and their stories endlessly revisitable. With simple language but intricate plotting, these novels address the complexities of human life in all its comedy and tragedy.  If you're looking for the best place to start, look no further than her most recent Booker longlistee, A Town Called Solace, or Lawson's internationally bestselling debut: Crow Lake

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more