Golden Hill

Why people recommend it

Golden Hill by Francis Spufford is an acclaimed 18th-century picaresque mock-novel that follows a mysterious young man arriving in Manhattan with a staggering draft of money and a host of hidden intentions. On an episode of The Book Review titled Reimagining the Aftermath of a Wartime Attack, host Pamela Paul and the author discussed the trajectory of his writing career. Paul noted that Spufford's first novel received ecstatically positive reviews upon its release, offering listeners reassurance of the author's remarkable literary talent. During the conversation, Spufford reflected on the creative process of crafting the 18th-century setting while he was still in the middle of writing it. Later in the episode, Paul directed listeners to the author's previous novel, juxtaposing it with his later work, Light Perpetual. The discussion highlighted the book as a celebrated critical darling that established Spufford's distinct narrative voice and historical imagination before the publication of his subsequent novels.