Ned Beauman Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Anthologies

Ned Beauman is an English author of literary fiction books, a journalist, and a screenwriter. In 2013, Ned was selected as one of the Best Young British Novelists by Granta Magazine. Ned is the son of Nicola and Christopher Beauman, publisher and economist, respectively. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a philosophy degree. His notable influences include Raymond Chandler, Jorge Luis Borges, and John Updike, along with other upcoming authors such as William Gibson, Michael Chabon, and David Foster Wallace. Ned Beauman’s books are published in the Sceptre in the UK. Besides novel writing, Ned has contributed to literary criticism in The White Review, The Guardian, Cabinet, The London Review of Book, and Fantastic Man.

In 2011, Ned Beauman won the Nation Jewish Book Award for his book Boxer, Beetle, in the debut fiction category. The Teleportation Accident won the 2012 Encore Award and was longlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize. The novels have been shortlisted for other notable awards, such as the Guardian First Book Award and the Desmond Elliot Prize.

Ned Beauman’s 2022 novel Venomous Lumpsucker is set in a future that feels eerily plausible, shaped by the devastating effects of climate change and the dominance of powerful capitalist mega-corporations. As ecosystems crumble, governments respond through regulations and financial penalties, including the concept of Extinction-credits. These credits impose a cost for exploiting the habitat of endangered species, and the price significantly rises if a species is deemed intelligent.

Initially conceived as a safeguard, Extinction-credits soon become a means to wipe out species with ease for a mere 13 bucks. However, a cyberattack in the 2030s dramatically escalates the price of these credits, drawing the attention of major corporations. This sets the stage for an unexpected alliance between nature conservationists and a morally compromised mining executive in a quest through the surreal landscapes of this environmentally devastated world. One is determined to prove the intelligence of the titular fish, while the other is equally determined to debunk that claim.

Venomous Lumpsucker” delves into the intricacies of extinction bureaucracy from two distinct perspectives. The first character is Halyard, a British corporate figure who justifies his firm’s environmental exploitation activities. Halyard takes a risk by betting that no sentient species exists in a specific area of the Baltic Sea. However, the fish in that region are classified as sentient, altering the global context and compelling him to cover his tracks. His journey leads him to Karin, a Swiss nature analyst who recently recognized the lumpsucker fish as intelligent. Joined by Halyard, the two embark on a mission to locate the last remaining school of these fish. Yet, they may find themselves entangled in larger, global forces that jeopardize their efforts.

Published in 2012, The Teleportation Accident is a novel that combines a delightful blend of humor, philosophical musings, historical settings, and international intrigue. The novel takes back in time to 1930s Berlin, offering a mix of American Pie-style comedy, a quest for romance, an exploration of Los Angeles’ public transportation, and a thrilling battle against a mad scientist. In short, it’s a rollicking good time.

Our protagonist, Egon Loeser, resides in 1930s Berlin, and he’s a struggling designer of special effects for theatrical plays. Egon is diligently working on his magnum opus, a teleportation device intended to instantly change stage settings, inspired by a 17th-century prototype with tragic consequences.
Egon’s journey takes a romantic turn when he falls for a woman named Adele Hitler (not Adolf Hitler) and embarks on a global pursuit, following her from Berlin to Paris and eventually Los Angeles, all in a quest to break his romantic dry spell. Along the way, he becomes entangled with an American con artist in France, encounters a motley crew of scientists at CalTech, and aligns himself with a famous novelist whose wife’s true identity might be that of a spy. It’s a wild and captivating ride.

The Teleportation Accident is structured into three main parts, concluding with a final segment featuring “four endings” that bring the story full circle and add a sense of closure. It adheres to the classic picaresque structure, where Egon navigates various dangers and embarrassments, often relying on sheer chance for his escape.

What makes this novel particularly captivating is its genre-hopping nature. It’s not confined to a single genre, instead delving into themes of desire, time travel, and, more profoundly, the disconnection between imagination and reality. As you read, you’ll find yourself led in one direction only to be unexpectedly transported to another, seamlessly blending historical fiction, realism, science fiction, and more.

The novel is brimming with memorable lines and a cast of eccentric characters, all set against the backdrop of the era’s darker undertones. It adheres to the classic picaresque structure, where Egon navigates various dangers and embarrassments, often relying on sheer chance for his escape.
What makes this novel particularly captivating is its genre-hopping nature. It’s not confined to a single genre, instead delving into themes of desire, time travel, and, more profoundly, the disconnection between imagination and reality. As you read, you’ll find yourself led in one direction only to be unexpectedly transported to another, seamlessly blending historical fiction, realism, science fiction, and more.

The central character in Ned Beauman’s 2014 novel Glow is a young man named Raf, a resident of South London, who grapples with a sleep disorder and a sense of loneliness following a breakup with his girlfriend.

When we first meet him, two major events take place. First, he encounters a captivating young woman named Cherish, sparking an instant infatuation. Second, he is introduced to the ‘new thing,’ a drug called Glow. His sleep disorder makes it challenging to secure stable employment, and he earns his living by working on computer programs or taking care of the dog responsible for guarding a pirate radio station’s transmitter.

While the story primarily unfolds on the streets of London, it has a global scope. It masterfully weaves together various storylines, centering on Raf’s yearning for Cherish, the mysterious disappearance of his friend Theo, who owns the radio station, the involvement of a multinational corporation known as Lacebark, the sudden appearance of enigmatic Burmese individuals, the presence of unmarked white vans snatching people from the streets, the enigmatic drug Glow, and a multitude of urban foxes. The strength of the book lies in its characters, particularly Raf, a genuinely likable protagonist who often finds himself in over his head. Despite his shortcomings, Raf emerges as a caring and compassionate friend, always willing to display courage in the face of adversity.