Ha! My work here is done.

Can confirm from reading it that F. Rex is excellent. The other *good* piece of Frankensteiniana is John Kessel's Austen/Mary Shelley-mashup, Pride and Prometheus.

Don't know about that. [Exits muttering, and kicking kittens.]

I *am* here, intermittently, but in immaterial form, so can only send immaterial aid. Immaterial cake, immaterial champagne. I know: would you like an early sight of the Nonesuch sequel, once the damned thing is finished?

I'm writing it as fast as I can, I swear.

Raf - author here. The book doesn't have a foreword or afterword, but it does say To Be Continued at the end. Sequel under construction now, and I'm hoping it may be out next year with luck.

YES (in the smallest capitals I can find). I have this very accurate suspicion that if I ever do more than visit occasionally I will be sucked into a BlueSky vortex and never heard from again. I have a HORRIBLY ADDICTIVE personality. But I'm really pleased you liked the book! OK, back to the sequel.

Can't alter the flow of time, but I *can* promise that the sequel is two-thirds or maybe even three-quarters done, and there's a good chance it will be along in 2027. (Hi, Paz. Hi, Cat.)

It reached you! I'm very glad. It comes with thanks for Sarantium,
Al-Rassan and everything since.

Authors don't write headings!

Gorgeous!

Tealin is not me but the excellent Sarah Airriess, author of the comic book adaptation of The Worst Journey in the World, who has a quote from me in her bio.

Loved it too.

Apart from 1945, 1950, 1964, 1966, 1974, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2023.

Yep, this is me. Not on here very much, though.

... which those who are pinched from have done plenty of themselves. Proud to be found pinch-worthy.

Trout with almonds and herbs. Bakewell tart. And on and on and on. But you can't really exclude the ethnic cuisines or the fusion dishes that are such a large part of English cooking now.

Poached salmon with new potatoes. Veal and ham pie. Watercress soup. Pea and ham soup. Oysters. Steamed samphire. Fresh asparagus with melted butter. Sprouts and chestnuts. Roast pork with crackling. Baked apples. All the cheeses, all the eating apples, all the Herefordshire ciders.

Noted.

You know what you should read in February? NONESUCH by Francis Spufford. I got my mittens on an advance copy, and a more engaging, clever, entertaining, touching, sexy and downright divine book you never did see.

Give yourself a treat, you won't regret it.

www.amazon.co.uk/Nonesuch-end...

You have entered a Constable painting.

Herman Diaz's Trust, James Buchan's William Neilson series, and (cough) my forthcoming Nonesuch (Feb 2026 or March 2026 for the Scribner edition). Cough.

I will feel no surprise whatsoever if Trump or Vance turn up in front of a billboard saying "Don't worry, don't wonder".

It's Sarah Mulally, not Guli, but still very good news. (And we get to keep Guli in Chelmsford.)

No! No! She's my bishop, and I don't want to lose her. (The greater good, you say? Never heard of it.)

'An ancient system is awakening in the stones of London…'

Introducing Nonesuch the most magical Francis Spufford novel yet.

💫 Get ready for the historical fantasy of 2026. Coming in February 💫

A pleasure to give alt-hist pleasure where alt-hist pleasure was received: I loved the multiple worlds of Promised Land, and of course Hitler as horrible private eye.

Looking forward to this very much - but is there an ETA for "Judge of Worlds"? Holding my breath to see the last piece of Kithamar's narrative Swiss watch fitted into place.

Humour present and correct.

I have indeed already loved them - but I've still pre-ordered them, because I need to own them on paper, and have the three spines spell AUD on my bookshelves.