Isherwood's short, poignant novel is a tender and wistful love story

Celebrated as a masterpiece from its first publication, A Single Man is the story of George, an English professor in suburban California left heartbroken after the death of his lover, Jim. With devastating clarity and humour, Isherwood shows George's determination to carry on, evoking the unexpected pleasures of life as well as the soul's ability to triumph over loneliness and alienation.

''A virtuoso piece of work...courageous...powerful'' Sunday Times

''This mix of humour and stoicism in the face of pent-up grief is essential Isherwood'' Guardian