Yesterday, Granta published its once-a-decade ‘Best of Young British Writers’ list.

Of the twenty writers on the list, I’ve read books by only two of them: I read Attrib. and Other Stories by Eley Williams a couple of years ago, and Boy Parts by Eliza Clark earlier this year.

I am especially delighted to see the latter on this list. When I read it, I thought that Boy Parts was an exceptional novel, but I perhaps didn’t realise quite how good it was. Even now, months later, the characters pop into my head and I ponder some of the situations Irina found herself in.

Looking back at my own review, and reading those of others, I’m reminded by how dark parts of the book were. It isn’t the darkness that has stayed with me: quite the opposite. I recall the lightness, the absurdity, the humour, and the reflections on photographic art as a medium. I remember the characterisation of my home city. And most of all, I remember some of the characters, as though I knew them personally.

The way Clark’s characters have taken up rent-free residence in my brain reminds me of my response to Kazuo Ishiguro’s books. It’s great to see her get some recognition, especially since the reviews of Boy Parts weren’t universally praising. I’m looking forward with much anticipation to her next book, Penance, due out later in the year.