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Sen2mental Garbage: The Difficult Second Novel with Monica Heisey

November 12, 2026 · 58 min

Show notes

This week we’re discussing Second* Novel Syndrome. When you’ve had a literary hit how do you follow it?


After the recent announcement of her new book, ‘Small Pond’ Monica Heisey (whose debut, ‘Really Good, Actually’ was an international smash hit) tells us about her experiences of tackling the infamously tricky second novel. And we talk about the stories where novelists have digested the success of their previous work on the page.


*or third, or even fourth


Books discussed:

Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

Lunar Park by Bret Easton Ellis

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan

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