Max Porter is a bestselling writer. He is the author of four novels and one children’s book. Porter’s second novel, Lanny, was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2019 and was a Sunday Times bestseller.

Set in a village not far from London, Lanny combines England’s mysterious past and its confounding present in an enchanting and devastating story. The village belongs to the people who live in it and to those who lived in it hundreds of years ago. It belongs to families dead for generations, and to those who have only recently moved here, such as the boy Lanny and his family. But it also belongs to Dead Papa Toothwort, who has woken from his slumber in the woods. Dead Papa Toothwort, who is listening to them all.

Porter’s work is renowned for its experimental nature. He writes across genres and mediums, pushing the boundaries of storytelling. His work has been adapted for stage and screen. A theatrical adaptation of Lanny is currently showing at the Bristol Old Vic from 2 to 7 November. 

Among Porter’s fans is Booker Prize-winning author George Saunders, who described him as one of his ‘favourite writers in the world’. 

Prior to becoming an author, Porter was previously Editorial Director at Granta Books, where he published The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, which won the Booker Prize 2013, and The Vegetarian by Han Kang, winner of the International Booker Prize 2016. He was also Chair of judges for the International Booker Prize 2025.

From an extract to a guide for book clubs and further reading recommendations, find out more about our November Monthly Spotlight here.