Adam S Leslie, an Oxford-based bookseller, has been recognized for his debut novel, 'Lost in the Garden,' which recently won the 2023 Nero Book Award for Fiction. This accolade comes as a surprise to Leslie, who, until a chance encounter with a customer praising the book, was unaware of its growing popularity. Launched by Caffe Nero to fill the void left by Costa Coffee, the award recognized Leslie's work amidst strong competition. The novel, described as a folk horror narrative reflecting contemporary Britain, captivated judges with its magical elements and dreamlike quality, distinguishing it from more mainstream offerings.
"It’s a little bit of an out of body experience, Leslie tells me. I’m looking at all the stuff online and going, This person with my name is having a great time!"
"The judges were clearly won over by Leslie's novel, praising it as a hazy, hypnotic book that reflects contemporary Britain through a distorted lens."
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