Moral Complexities skilfully addresses the moral imperative of turn-of-the-millennium British literature through a detailed analysis of five contemporary authors and their novels. The book is a welcome contribution to the study of literary ethics and will be relevant to scholars and students researching the moral responsibilities of the contemporary writer. This timely and illuminating work attests not only to the novel’s role in exploring the complexities and multiplicities of a wide variety of social and political issues but also to its ability to model a non-judgemental and empathetic attitude that encourages readers’ engagement with new ideas and personal and social responsibility.

Kerry Myler, Newman University

A valuable and engaging analysis of key texts by five important British writers, Moral Complexities examines with great clarity and depth how writers address questions of moral urgency. Identifying various ethical and narrative strategies, it persuasively navigates complex issues of social justice and individual responsibility and provides a powerful argument for the novel’s capacity to encourage readers to think deeply about embedded power systems. The author clearly and concisely places each work within a series of critical debates around moral authority and individual responsibility. Moral Complexities provides new perspectives on familiar novels and would benefit any student or general reader of contemporary British fiction.

Fiona Tolan, Liverpool John Moores University, UK