Shortlisted for the Galaxy New Writer of the Year 2010.
If you enjoyed The Brief History of Tractors in Ukrainian then this is for you. It too concerns immigrants striving to become British, only here it is a German Jewish family who arrived in 1937. It is a bittersweet tale laced with humour, of a man following his dream which includes becoming British enough to be accepted by a pukka golf club and being floored by bigots and prejudice. His answer, build one! A perfect gem, slow to start but suddenly impossible to put down, the sort of book you must tell your friends about.
Mr Rosenblum's List: Or Friendly Guidance for the Aspiring Englishman Synopsis
List item 2: Never speak German on the upper decks of London buses. Jack Rosenblum is five foot three and a half inches of sheer tenacity. He's writing a list so he can become a Very English Gentleman. List item 41: An Englishman buys his marmalade from Fortnum and Mason. It's 1952, and despite his best efforts, his bid to blend in is fraught with unexpected hurdles - including his wife. Sadie doesn't want to forget where they came from or the family they've lost. And she shows no interest in getting a purple rinse. List item 112: An Englishman keeps his head in a crisis, even when he's risking everything. Jack leads a reluctant Sadie deep into the English countryside in pursuit of a dream. Here, in a land of woolly pigs, bluebells and jitterbug cider, they embark on an impossible task...
'Utterly charming and very funny' Paul Torday, author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
'The descriptions of England - as friend, adversary and eventually homne - are exquisite. Jack Rosenblum, a foolish, deeply sympathetic protagonist, is exasperating and admirable in equal measure. A touching, surprising and satisfying read.' Sadie Jones, author of The Outcast
Author
About Natasha Solomons
Natasha Solomons is the author of the bestselling Mr Rosenblum's List and The Novel in the Viola, which was chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club. Natasha Lives in Dorset with her son and her husband with whom she also writes screenplays. Her novels have been translated into 17 languages.
