Now We Shall Be Entirely Free
One of The Times' Best Novels of the 21st Century
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4.2 • 21 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
⭐ Out now: The Land in Winter, shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2025 ⭐
Now We Shall Be Entirely Free: a stunning historical novel with the grip of a thriller
One of The Times' Best Novels of the 21st Century
A book of the year: Guardian, New Statesman, Spectator, BBC History Magazine
'Excellent' Observer
'This is fiction - storytelling - at its best' Spectator
'That rarest of treats - propulsive storytelling in sensuous prose' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures and Shy Creatures
When Captain John Lacroix returns to England after fighting Napoleon's forces in Spain, he is not the man he was. A survivor of the British arm's infamous retreat to Corunna, he carries with him a shameful secret, one he will travel to the outer reaches of Scotland to forget.
Lacroix's journey to the Hebrides leads to encounters with thieves and free thinkers, to unexpected friendships, even love. But as the short northern summer reaches its zenith, the shadow of the enemy is creeping closer - unbeknownst to Lacroix, a vicious English corporal and a Spanish officer are on his trail. Freedom, for John Lacroix, will come at a high price.
Winner of the Highland Book Prize | Shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize
Praise for Andrew Miller
'Andrew Miller's writing is a source of wonder and delight' Hilary Mantel
'One of our most skilful chroniclers of the human heart and mind' Sunday Times
'Unique, visionary, a master at unmasking humanity' Sarah Hall
'A wonderful storyteller' Spectator
'One of those rare novelists who can rock up in any time and place and convincingly inhabit that particular historical moment' The Times
Customer Reviews
Brilliant.
This is a beautiful novel, engrossing and brilliantly written.
No free lunch
Author
British. Seven previous novels, six major awards and an appearance on the Booker shortlist. I’ve read three and admired his skills as a wordsmith, even if I wasn’t sure what he was getting at,
Plot
It’s 1809 and John Lacroix, a wounded British officer from the ill fated war against Napoleon in Spain, makes it home to Somerset in a sorry state. He recovers his physical health but has a bit of PTSD so he heads off the Hebrides for a bit of R&R. Ibiza was not an option, for obvious reasons. Meanwhile, a brutish English corporal and Spanish officer are in pursuit of our boy for dastardly acts he’s alleged to have perpetrated on local civilians.
Characters
Lacroix is a sympathetic character, although possibly shouldn’t be, and is painted in keen detail. The others are drawn well enough for purpose.
Prose
Verging on the exquisite at times, quite a few times if I’m honest, which is what kept me going because not a lot happens plot-wise.
Bottom line
One for the true believers, as in those who can get by without too much storyline if the writing is of sufficiently high quality. I’m not sure I can, which explains my rating.