Any Human Heart

The classic novel spanning every decade of the 20th century, available as a Penguin Essential for the first timeEvery life is both ordinary and extraordinary, but Logan Mountstuart's - lived from the beginning to the end of the twentieth century - contains more than its fair share of both. As a writer who finds inspiration with Hemingway in Paris and Virginia Woolf in London, as a spy recruited by Ian Fleming and betrayed in the war and as an art-dealer in '60s New York, Logan mixes with the movers and shakers of his times. But as a son, friend, lover and husband, he makes the same mistakes we all do in our search for happiness. Here, then, is the story of a life lived to the full - and a journey deep into a very human heart.

“A terrific journey through the twentieth century. Thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable”

-- Jeremy Paxman
Wise, profound and moving. Only the very best novels make you look at your own life and imagine your own future with fresh eyes -- William Sutcliffe Independent on Sunday
Superb, wonderful, enjoyable Guardian
This fabulous book all about life... is the journey of anyone with a heart... I think of Any Human Heart often - the sign of a truly great book -- Fi Glover Spectator
Sheer, truly brilliant storytelling. He has probably written more classic books than any of his contemporaries Daily Telegraph
Astonishing, touching, extremely funny. A brilliant evocation of a past era and an immensely readable story Sunday Telegraph
Astounding. One of Boyd's greatest achievements Mail on Sunday

William Boyd was born in 1952 in Accra, Ghana, and grew up there and in Nigeria. He is the author of sixteen highly acclaimed, bestselling novels and five collections of stories. Any Human Heart was longlisted for the Booker Prize and adapted into a TV series with Channel 4. In 2005, Boyd was awarded the CBE. He is married and divides his time between London and south-west France.

'I have to start my real life soon, before I die of boredom and frustration . . .' Logan Mountstuart - writer, lover, art dealer, spy - navigates his way through the twentieth century. In Paris he meets Hemingway and in London he argues with Virginia Woolf. Recruited as an agent by Ian Fleming, he is betrayed in the war and fetches up in sixties New York as artists begin to flock there. Throughout he seeks what each of us seeks - love, happiness and fulfilment - yet he makes the same mistakes we all do in finding it. Here, then, is a journey deep into a very human heart . . . 'Superb, wonderful, enjoyable' Guardian 'Great fun. A thoroughly engrossing read' Daily Telegraph

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