Free cookie consent management tool by TermsFeed Jump directly to main content

The Crack Magazine

theftbook.jpg

Theft

Luke Brown, And Other Stories

The titular “theft” of Luke Brown’s latest novel can said to be related to property, as in: all property is theft. When the story begins Paul is living in an off-grid London flat, which has a much cheaper rent than similar places. He – and his sister – have been charged with selling the family home, which is situated in a run-down coastal town, after their mother dies. He works as the literary editor for a magazine that is hell-bent on becoming edgier (his editor moots the idea of abandoning reviewing books for reviewing legal highs). The story begins with Paul going to interview Emily, a cult author. They strike up a friendship, which Paul thinks might turn into something more. Trouble is, Emily is about to be married to Andrew, a professor, and older man. The novel has much to say about wealth and entitlement, with Paul struggling to know exactly what his place in the world is, in a tale that examines relationships – romantic, sibling and between friends – in a witty and sharp manner.   

lcurtis12.jpg