Other People's Fun
A wickedly funny literary thriller for the Instagram age
Will be published approx. on 22. October 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-4746-0284-6 (ISBN)
Description
From the author of Alys, Always and Her
'The perfect lesson in backstabbing. Bitchy, sly and twisty' Claire Fuller
'Brilliant, clever, such a pleasure to read' Marian Keyes
'A one-sitting read steeped in tension and unease' Red
If someone wants to be seen - and oh, how they want to be seen - then someone has to watch.
Ruth is alone, unnoticed and at a loss: her marriage has ended, her daughter is leaving home and her job is leading nowhere.
But luckily Sookie is back in her life - vivid, self-assured Sookie, who never spared the time for Ruth when they were teenagers, but who now seems to want to be friends. What could possibly go wrong?
As Ruth becomes caught up in Sookie's life, she sees that everything is not as simple and Instagrammable as Sookie would have you believe. But what has that got to do with Ruth - and what can she do about it?
Other People's Fun is a novel about modern life and the lies we tell our neighbours, friends, families and selves through the hall of mirrors that is social media. Filled with Harriet Lane's trademark creeping unease and forensic observation, this marks the long-awaited return of the mistress of literary suspense.
'The perfect lesson in backstabbing. Bitchy, sly and twisty' Claire Fuller
'Brilliant, clever, such a pleasure to read' Marian Keyes
'A one-sitting read steeped in tension and unease' Red
If someone wants to be seen - and oh, how they want to be seen - then someone has to watch.
Ruth is alone, unnoticed and at a loss: her marriage has ended, her daughter is leaving home and her job is leading nowhere.
But luckily Sookie is back in her life - vivid, self-assured Sookie, who never spared the time for Ruth when they were teenagers, but who now seems to want to be friends. What could possibly go wrong?
As Ruth becomes caught up in Sookie's life, she sees that everything is not as simple and Instagrammable as Sookie would have you believe. But what has that got to do with Ruth - and what can she do about it?
Other People's Fun is a novel about modern life and the lies we tell our neighbours, friends, families and selves through the hall of mirrors that is social media. Filled with Harriet Lane's trademark creeping unease and forensic observation, this marks the long-awaited return of the mistress of literary suspense.
Reviews / Votes
Brilliant, clever, such a pleasure to read . . . Her writing is as sharp as a scalpel and her judgement is savage (this is not a criticism) -- Marian Keyes Flint-sharp . . . You will howl with satisfaction * Guardian * My greatest cause for rejoicing was a new novel from Harriet Lane . . . Funny, creepy and unputdownable * Spectator, Books of the Year * The perfect lesson in backstabbing. Bitchy, sly, and twisty - what a ride -- Claire Fuller An elegant psychodrama with a twist of Billy Wilder - and a witty satire of Insta-lifestyle narcissism and the envy economy. Will be a poolside page turner -- Peter Bradshaw Chilling, witty and unputdownable - a superb revenge drama that peels away the facades of social media -- Lissa Evans Lane's novel leans on its writing and characterisation, which are tight, precise, well observed * Telegraph * Sharp and observant . . . The ending is so perfectly taut that I read the last few pages through my fingers * Good Housekeeping * Lane is able to summon a character or relationship with impressive brevity . . . I can think of few final scenes as barbaric as that of Other People's Fun, and not a drop of blood is spilled * New York Times * Lane returns with a tense, sharply observed novel of class, social media and manipulation, simmering with quiet dread * i Paper * A perceptive and addictive tale from the always brilliant Harriet Lane * Stylist * Thrilling, sharp, and hugely interesting. Like Jean Rhys and Patricia Highsmith, Harriet Lane writes with a gripping, inexorable sense of tension. Other People's Fun is very smart and darkly funny, a brilliant take on displacement, envy, and artifice. I couldn't put it down -- Flynn Berry Waspishly funny, acutely perceptive . . . A brilliant novel you'll want to pass to all your friends * Woman's Weekly * Oh my goodness, absolutely gripping. One of the most captivatingly insightful writers I have ever read, she perceives and effortlessly describes the billion and one things that subliminally irritate in daily life and in the most deliciously bitchy way. She discerns *everything*! Riveting and fabulously entertaining -- Leyla Sanai Spiky and atmospheric. A smartly-observed meditation on self-presentation and female friendships -- Sarah Harman I adored this deliciously wicked satire on the narcissistic, entitled and sanctimonious side of elite middle-class life. It's brilliantly witty and stingingly sharp, with all too recognisable people, places and products tied up in a much sadder if suspenseful story. It reminded me of both Anita Brookner and Saltburn as a tale of what privilege and luck look like to those who feel deprived of it. Other People's Fun deserves every success -- Amanda Craig The Jane Austen of the Instagram age on brilliant form -- Julie Burchill I routinely check some authors to see if they have a new book out - and Harriet Lane is one of them . . . If you loved Notes on a Scandal, then this is for you * Prima * This deliciously twisted tale is a one-sitting read steeped in tension and unease * Red * Oozing with creeping unease and tremendously honest observations, this is a clever commentary on friendship, families and affairs * Platinum Magazine * Funny literary suspense * Grazia * Unputdownable . . . Builds to an explosive finale * The Bookseller *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
41 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4746-0284-6 (9781474602846)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Harriet Lane has worked as an editor and staff writer at Tatler and the Observer. She has also written for the Guardian, Vogue and the New York Times. She is the author of two other novels, Alys, Always and Her. She lives in North London.