Winner of the Whitbread First Novel Award

'A wonderful novel. I doubt I will read a funnier one, or one with more heart, this year, possibly this decade.' Angela Carter, Guardian

The hero of Hanif Kureishi's first novel is Karim, a dreamy teenager, desperate to escape suburban South London and experience the forbidden fruits which the 1970s seem to offer. When the unlikely opportunity of a life in the theatre announces itself, Karim starts to win the sort of attention he has been craving - albeit with some rude and raucous results.

'One of the best comic novels of growing up, and one of the sharpest satires on race relations in this country that I've ever read.' Independent on Sunday

'Brilliantly funny. A fresh, anarchic and deliciously unrestrained novel.' Sunday Times

'A distinctive and talented voice, blithe, savvy, alive and kicking.' Hermione Lee, Independent