Hardcover
Festival of Britain, missing woman, and a reporter’s redemption.

Our Noble Selves

$64.82

  • Hardcover

    352 pages

  • Release Date

    10 October 2026

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Summary

It’s the summer of 1951 and everyone is looking to put the dark days of the war behind them. The government’s solution: The Festival of Britain, a celebration of the country’s creativity, grit and ingenuity.

For foreign correspondent turned war reporter Harry Flynn, it might offer the chance of redemption after a bad war in the Far East and a peace that is proving no easier to negotiate. Having failed to resume his journalistic career, he reluctantly joins an oddball team of misfits, …

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781529937824
ISBN-10:1529937825
Author:Kate Atkinson
Publisher:Transworld Publishers Ltd
Imprint:Doubleday
Format:Hardcover
Number of Pages:352
Release Date:10 October 2026
Weight:558g
Dimensions:32mm x 165mm x 244mm
A-Format
B-Format
C-Format
Our Noble Selves by Kate Atkinson - ISBN: 9781529937824
165 × 244 mm
A4
mm / in
What They're Saying

Critics Review

Quirky wit, vast social canvas and narrative brio. The ‘genre’ question is irrelevant. Kate Atkinson writes in one that is entirely and spectacularly her own. * The Scotsman *
In Our Noble Selves, Kate Atkinson proves a tender, wry guide to the eccentricities of British life as revealed in the archives. Atkinson relishes the quirkiness. She can be relied on for cracking dialogue, warm wit and comic brio. – TLS
A winning combination of clever plotting, spry pacing and an endearing cast of characters. * Daily Mail *
Dazzling story. – The i paper
Atkinson’s 14th novel is full of brilliantly colourful characters, and takes us back to a beautifully evoked period when post-war Britain was contemplating both its past and its future. – Woman & Home
Gleefully observed — also beautifully illustrated — this novel is a hoot. The characters are terrific. Its writing has merry, mischievous verve. There is richly revolting period detail. But there is also great wisdom and warmth … not just an enjoyable book to read but one you feel Atkinson found entertaining to write. * The Times *
She handles Flynn’s war trauma with a particularly deft touch: a well-chosen hint or two conveys more about hell and inner fragility than any exposition could. * The Guardian *
Wonderfully inventive novel, a brilliant fusion of history and mystery with an hilarious character ensemble – highly recommended. * Country Life *
Endearing characters, a plot that zips along and some charming period detail make Our Noble Selves a must-read. * Daily Express *
Atkinson coats proceedings with an agreeable patina of farce that is an absolute hoot. * The Crack Magazine *

About The Author

Kate Atkinson

Kate Atkinson

Kate Atkinson is one of the world’s foremost novelists. She won the Whitbread Book of the Year prize with her first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

Her novel Life After Life, an acclaimed BBC TV series, won several prizes including the Costa Novel Award, as did A God in Ruins. Two further historical novels - Transcription and Shrines of Gaiety - were also Sunday Times bestsellers. She has published two critically acclaimed collections of short stories: Not the End of the World and Normal Rules Don’t Apply.

Her bestselling literary crime novels featuring former detective Jackson Brodie, Case Histories, One Good Turn, When Will There Be Good News? and Started Early, Took My Dog, became a BBC television series starring Jason Isaacs. Jackson Brodie later returned in the novel Big Sky and the most recent, Death at the Sign of the Rook, was a number one bestseller.

Kate Atkinson was awarded an MBE in 2011 and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

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