The book, recognized with the 1948 John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, explores profound themes of identity and belonging through its richly developed characters. Set against a backdrop of societal change, it delves into the complexities of human relationships and the search for purpose. The narrative weaves together personal struggles and broader cultural commentary, making it a compelling read that resonates with both historical and contemporary issues. Its award highlights the impact and significance of its storytelling.
Richard Mason Book order






- 2017
- 2017
The Fever Tree
- 310 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Set against the backdrop of 1940s India, this cinematic tale weaves together elements of tragedy and romance. The narrative explores the complexities of love amidst a tumultuous historical context, offering a rich portrayal of the era's emotional landscape. Through vivid imagery and compelling characters, the author crafts a poignant story that captures the essence of longing and heartache.
- 2017
The Shadow and the Peak
- 300 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Jamaica, the story follows Douglas Lockwood as he seeks solace after a painful divorce. Instead of tranquility, he encounters a whirlwind of passion involving three captivating women, each bringing their own complexities and challenges. This unexpected turn of events transforms his quest for peace into a tumultuous summer filled with emotional turmoil and romantic entanglements.
- 2016
Who Killed Piet Barol?
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Utterly entrancing ...Richard Mason has created an epic narrative in which human failure and decency are opposing forces. Mason entwines the divided racial strands of South Africa in 1914, in a riveting tale seen through the eyes of both colonial whites and tribal black South Africans, as their paths converge in a search for survival and a better life. The novel is written by a master of prose who instinctively knows how to make the reader turn pages fast but also sets in motion trains of thought which demand slow, profound analysis as a seemingly playful lie spirals into an explosion of greed, lust and ruthless ambition . Set against the backdrop of ancient forests, this novel also explores the magic of nature and spirituality, and how man's noblest and most ignoble aims can sometimes co-exist in the same space.... I wanted to re- reread it immediately. Richard Mason is a distinctive voice in British fiction whose elegant prose has marked him out as one of the outstanding writers of his generation Geordie Greig, Editor, Mail on Sunday
- 2012
History of a Pleasure Seeker
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
'A sharply written story of love, money and erotic intrigue pulsing behind the staid canal fronts of nineteenth-century Amsterdam' Daisy Goodwin
- 2008
Angling Experiences and Reminiscences, by Richard Mason
- 180 pages
- 7 hours of reading
The book focuses on the scarcity and rising costs of early literature from the 1900s and earlier. It highlights a commitment to republishing these classic works in accessible, high-quality editions that preserve the original text and artwork, making them available to a new generation of readers.
- 2008
Joan McAllistair is about to embark on the 'Trip of a Lifetime' with her daughter Eloise; a journey back to her childhood South Africa and the family homestead in the old Boer Republic of the Orange Free State. For Eloise, the trip is partly a gift, partly a means of assuaging her guilt at moving her mother into a care home. For Joan, the discovery of her grandmother's journal transports her to the troubled times of the Anglo-Boer war. Eloise, in the meantime, has gambled her business's entire fortune on a promise made by an old lover. As their stories unravel, Joan takes increasing refuge in the landscape of her mind - in journeys to her own past. She also finds an unexpected friend in a lonely teenager who shares her fascination with history.
- 2000
A truly thrilling murder mystery set partly in Cornwall, in the tradition of Du Maurier's REBECCA: dark, English and very much a classic. At 21, James Farrell has the world at his feet. A gifted violinist, his successful career seems assured. Until a chance encounter with Ella changes everything. Ella, bewitching, irresistible, haunted by the ghosts of her family's past - James cannot help falling in love with her, and she with him. But as the power and dangerous fragility of their relationship overwhelm them, James can only watch helplessly as the most beautiful thing in his life is strangled by deception, betrayal and ultimately murder ...
- 1960
Penguin Books reintroduces the timeless story of the love affair between a British artist and a Chinese prostitute. Robert is t he only resident of the Nam Kok hotel not renting his room by the hour when he meets Suzie at the bar. She becomes his muse and they fall in love. But even in Hong Kong, where many white expatriates have Chinese mistresses, their romance could jeopardize the things they each hold dear. Set in the mid-1950s, The World of Suzie Wong is a beautifully written time capsule of a novel. First published more than fifty years ago, it resonated with readers worldwide, inspiring a film starring William H olden, a ballet, and even a reggae song. Now readers can experience the romance of this groundbreaking story anew.