The Necessary Angel

A beautifully written, carefully observed novel that takes you to the heart of contemporary Paris and into a world of books and witty conversation. With a surprising twist at the end, this book is gripping and hugely satisfying. It's a story of people grappling with love and fidelity; a story about the importance of books; a commentary on living in complex modern-day Europe; and a page-turning mystery. The Necessary Angel is a sophisticated novel that shows C.K. Stead writing at the height of his powers. Award-winning author C.K. Stead takes us to the heart of contemporary Paris and into a world of books and witty conversation. The Necessary Angel is a story of people grappling with love and fidelity; a story about the importance of books; a commentary on living in complex modern-day Europe; and a page-turning mystery. With a surprising twist at the end, this is a sophisticated novel that shows Stead writing at the height of his powers.

'Stead is a fine writer, intelligent and assured, and The Necessary Angel's stealthy crescendo will leave the reader gasping.' Philip Womack, The Spectator

'A fictional gem.' David Grylls, The Sunday Times, UK

'Masterfully structured' Zoe Apostolides, Financial Times

'Stead captures the essence of Paris, its certainties and its contradictions, while simultaneously invoking the power of literature to alter and direct lives.' Richard Hopton, Country & Town House

'... his prose is good, beguilingly good ... It's an entertainment, but in the best sense of the word - clever, rich and playful.' Jane Westaway, The Spinoff

'For anyone who enjoys literature, it's a delight to find a book that does the same.' Paul Little, North & South

'Paris suits Stead. There is a joie de vivre to the writing: the zest and juice of the short stories are sustained at novel length, making this his best novel since All Visitors Ashore.' Stephen Stratford, New Zealand Listener A dazzling new novel from the award-winning Karl Stead. Award-winning author C.K. Stead takes us to the heart of contemporary Paris and into a world of books and witty conversation. The Necessary Angel is a story of people grappling with love and fidelity; a story about the importance of books; a commentary on living in complex modern-day Europe; and a page-turning mystery. With a surprising twist at the end, this is a sophisticated novel that shows Stead writing at the height of his powers.'Stead is a fine writer, intelligent and assured, and The Necessary Angel's stealthy crescendo will leave the reader gasping.'Philip Womack, The Spectator'A fictional gem.'David Grylls, The Sunday Times, UK'Masterfully structured'Zoe Apostolides, Financial Times'Stead captures the essence of Paris, its certainties and its contradictions, while simultaneously invoking the power of literature to alter and direct lives.'Richard Hopton, Country & Town House'... his prose is good, beguilingly good... It's an entertainment, but in the best sense of the word - clever, rich and playful.'Jane Westaway, The Spinoff'For anyone who enjoys literature, it's a delight to find a book that does the same.'Paul Little, North & South'Paris suits Stead. There is a joie de vivre to the writing: the zest and juice of the short stories are sustained at novel length, making this his best novel since All Visitors Ashore.'Stephen Stratford, New Zealand Listener With a surprising twist at the end, this book is gripping and hugely satisfying. It can be read on many levels - as a story of people grappling with love and fidelity; as a story about the importance of books in everyday life; as a commentary on living in complex modern-day Europe; and as a page-turning mystery. Peopled mainly by lecturers and students of the Sorbonne The Necessary Angel touches on the machinations of various players as they position for power. Written against the wider backdrop of the political turmoil of 2014 - ISIS, Syria and the threat of Brexit - these themes become global. One of the characters quotes Flaubert: 'There is no truth, there is only perception', and this thread runs throughout. This is a sophisticated novel that shows CK Stead writing at the height of his powers Max Jackson, a New Zealander living and lecturing in Paris, has a complicated arrangement with his estranged French wife, Louise. In love with his younger Sorbonne colleague Sylvie, he finds himself entangled with Helen, a troubled young English student. When a Cezanne painting goes missing from Louise's apartment, the boundaries he has struggled to maintain threaten to collapse. Infused with literary musings and the spirit of Paris, The Necessary Angel is as much an ode to the power of literature as a nuanced exploration of love, fidelity and the balance of power within relationships