The magnificent novel that propelled Richard Ford into the first rank of American writers

My name is Frank Bascombe. I am a sportswriter.

It is Easter weekend and we are introduced for the first time to Frank Bascombe. On the surface Frank's life seems well set: he has a younger girlfriend and a job he adores as a sportswriter. To many men his age, thirty-eight, this would be a cause for optimism, yet Frank feels the pull of longing and the memory of his recent losses - a career has ended,his wife has divorced him, and his elder son has died. In the course of Easter weekend, Frank will lose all the remnants of his familiar life, though he will emerge heroic with spirits aloft.

'With a mastery second to none, Richard Ford has created a character we know as well as our next-door neighbours. Frank Bascombe has earned himself a place beside Willy Loman and Harry Angstrom in our literary landscape' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

'Masterly ... Moving ... This remarkable elegiac novel contemplates the desperate sadness of life with a profound, and humorous, dignity' EVENING STANDARD

'From first page to last, The Sportswriter is the work of a writer absolutely in control of his material ... Ford has wrought a pitch-perfect thing of wonder ... A brilliant elegiac novel' NEWSDAY

Jonnie Peacock is a double Paralympic 100-metre sprint champion. He won gold and set a Paralympic record at the age of just 19 at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, going on to win gold again, and smash his own record at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. Since then he's gone on to win bronze in the T64 in Tokyo 2020, plus silver in the mixed relay at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. He was the first disabled contestant to compete on the main Strictly Come Dancing show and is passionate about challenging and changing other people's perceptions around disability. When he's not running he loves love playing video games, eating peri-peri chicken and hanging out with his girlfriend, Sally, and his dogs, Bella and Luna.

Ashwin Chacko is a positively playful award-winning author, illustrator and motivational speaker. He specialises in joy-filled visual storytelling to bring happiness and encouragement to his work. His mission is to champion creativity and empower people to find their inner spark through his art, books, talks and workshops. He lives with his wife and three kids in Ireland. When he is not working he enjoys exploring the great outdoors with his kids, skateboarding, rock climbing and doing lots and lots of drawing.

Laura Earnshaw is the founder of an NHS-backed organisation called myHappymind. MyHappymind are experts in the science behind happiness and help hundreds of thousands of children in schools worldwide develop healthy habits so they can thrive! She lives with her husband, two kids and a lovely Maltipoo called Max in Cheshire. She is also the bestselling author of her own book, My Happy Mind, and sits on the board of the world's leading mental health charity, The Mental Health Foundation. When she's not working, she loves long country walks, scuba diving and travelling!