This remains possibly my favourite novel. And I would argue that the excellent film adaptation was one of the best films of the noughties. Hansen is one of the greatest writers alive. A supreme stylist who is able to transform low history (Jesse James, The Dalton Gang, Ruth Snyder, The shipwreck of SS Deutschland) into the highest of art. This might be hist masterpiece though. Evocative, poetic description; rhythmic and compelling dialogue; resonant and masterful thematic control. A breathtaking work.

All Dickens is great. Dickens on an off day is better than most and worth reading. Everything you could ever want is here: wit, satire, humanity, tragedy, sentimentality, beauty, joy, wisdom. A powerhouse who has influenced everyone from Tolstoy to Hollywood. And his canny business model of publishing his novel in instalments to his magazine subscribers is one that I suspect will be increasingly adapted in our modern digital world.

This epic was also published via periodical instalments. As was Doestoevsky. In fact many of the greatest and most successful novels were (both artistically and financially). Anyway. This is the epic tale of the life of the legendary samurai Musashi. This is better than the best streaming box set. And always will be. Action, thrills, wisdom, war, self-mastery, love, death, sake-drinking, gardening- this has everything you could ever want in a story.

Like Jesse James, this is a great novel that also has a great cinematic adaptation. (From 1947, starring Tyrone Powers). Nightmare Alley is the ultimate noir about a carnival magician turned spiritualist con man. It’s dark, compelling, tremendously written and features one of the great villains in the femme fatale psychiatrist Lilith Ritter. This has Dostoevskian themes but is a genuine page-turner. Apparently, they are remaking the film. I can’t see how it could hold a candle to the original novel and screen adaptation combo.

The year in the life of a medical intern at a fictional East coast hospital based on the authors real life experience. Cynical, hilarious and beautifully observed. The Fat Man with his sprezzatura, skin in the game, mastery of his craft is one of the patron saints of this newsletter.