"There have been a lot of misunderstandings about the New Puritan manifesto. Textual simplicity doesn't necessarily mean stripped-down; writing about film doesn't make us want to be film-makers. The following list is not in order and is made up mainly of novels by writers in the New Puritans collection. The two in the list that aren't written by New Puritans are Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis, which seemed to come up fairly frequently as an inspiration for the writers we asked to be in this collection, and The Royal Family, which came out last year and showed a previously 'experimental' writer, Vollman, eschewing his former postmodernist devices to write something direct, honest, narrative-driven, but incredibly accomplished."
All Hail the New Puritans is published by Fourth Estate.
Buy All Hail the New Puritans at Amazon.co.uk
1. Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis
People lump Ellis in with McInerney, but he's a much more sophisticated writer. So many writers I know started thinking seriously about writing after reading Ellis.
2. Bright Young Things by Scarlett Thomas
Due out later this year, Scarlett Thomas's novel absolutely defines a particular moment in time - by isolating her characters on an island and turning them inside out. Packed full of pop-references, this is a very entertaining read.
3. Coast by Matthew Branton
It can be frustrating trying to explain to someone why certain books are so good. Coast knocked me sideways and of all the books on this list, this is the one I'd tell everyone to read.
4. A Certain Age by Rebecca Ray
I first read Ray's novel two years ago. At the time I loved the book's simplicity and honesty, but had no idea how often I would find scenes haunting my memory.
5. The Beach by Alex Garland
The first English novel in ages to thrill through story, a beautifully constructed novel that will still be read and enjoyed in a hundred years time.
6. Eight Minutes Idle by Matt Thorne
I know I shouldn't put myself on this list, but it is supposed to be a top ten New Puritans list, right? If I had to be judged on anything I've written, this would be the one I'd like taken into account.
7. The Dope Priest by Nicholas Blincoe
My co-editor's best book, and the one that seems most New Puritan, although I believe his next novel White Mice is going to be written entirely according to New Puritan rules.
8. The Royal Family by William T Vollmann
Reading this novel earlier this year, I was struck how a lot of formerly postmodernist novelists have been returning to realism, with stunning results. This account of San Francisco prostitution pretty much follows all the New Puritan rules.
9. Corpsing by Toby Litt
Litt's second novel was a mainstream success. As with The Beach, Toby Litt utilises his story-telling skills to create incredible excitement.
10. A Sweetheart Deal by Ben Richards
Richards, our most reluctant New Puritan, wishes to reserve the right to use poetic prose. Fair enough. The New Puritan project was intended as one-off, a way of bringing writers together and getting them to do something different, not restrict them for life. Richards is a writer I've admired for ages, and this is his best book.
