Jonathan Raban Book order

This memoir delves into themes of family, memory, and the inevitability of mortality, offering a poignant reflection on the author's life experiences. As Jonathan Raban's final work, it combines personal narrative with profound insights, inviting readers to explore the complexities of human connections and the passage of time. Through his unique perspective, Raban crafts a compelling story that resonates deeply with the universal journey of understanding one's roots and facing life's ultimate questions.

First published in 1981, Old Glory tells of a journey down the Mississippi in an open-topped boat. No one who has read this book can possibly complain about being surprised by Trump s election victory. Thirty years later we see it as not just wry, funny, brave, immersed and beautifully observed but prophetic. A book to be read and re-read.

A voyage round Britain in a two-masted sailing boat, The Gosfield Maid. First published in 1986.

First published in 1990, Hunting Mister Heartbreak is a discovery of the many faces of America, from New York to Florida, from rural Alabama to Seattle.

First published in 1987, Raban writes about reading and travelling, fleshing out London literary life in the 70s and 80s.

First published in 1979, Arabia is an exploration of the modern Middle East, from Earls Court and back again.

The book showcases Granta's evolution in travel writing, highlighting its journey from vivid depictions of unfamiliar lands in the 1980s to more introspective and personal narratives in the 1990s. It features contributions from contemporary writers who explore new discoveries, reflecting the changing nature of travel literature over the years.

Teems with acerbic humour . . . 600 relentlessly intelligent pages of erudite, witty and combative prose.' Patrick McGrath, Guardian Book of the Week'

Set in a near-future America where national identity cards are compulsory, the narrative explores a society fixated on intelligence-gathering. Raban skillfully portrays this unique era, blending precision with compassion to reflect on the implications of surveillance and identity. The story delves into the complexities of personal freedom and societal control, offering a thought-provoking commentary on contemporary issues.

Focusing on the evolution of the Pacific Northwest landscape, this monograph showcases Michael Brophy's 15 expansive paintings that explore the region's dramatic emptiness, contrasting its historical exploitation with minimalist aesthetics. Accompanying essays by Jonathan Raban and William L. Lang delve into the artistic and cultural history, examining the tension between idealized landscapes and their realities. The book's design captures the grandeur of Brophy's work, featuring 200 high-quality reproductions that reflect the changing mythology of the Northwest.