Black List, Section H, by Francis Stuart (Penguin, £8.99 in UK)

Since it first appeared in 1971, Francis Stuart's quasi autobiographical novel has become virtually an Irish classic and has created its own odd, unique field. It has, in fact, established itself even with people who are not at all fond of Stuart's "straight" novels, and since it is virtually a work of his old age, it can be described not unjustly as one of those books which mark the summation of a lifetime - and a strange and remarkable lifetime, too. Apart from its value as a roman a clef, it is an essential document of a whole period of Irish culture as well as giving glimpses of Hitler's Germany and London literary bohemia. There is an introduction by Colm Toibin.