The Rest of Our Lives

LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2025





'Moving, smart and life-affirming.' OBSERVER

'Why aren't all novels like this?' THE CRITIC



'A triumphant twist on the great American road novel.' GUARDIAN

'So funny, wise and knowing.' CLARE CHAMBERS



What's left when your kids grow up and leave home?





When Tom Layward's wife had an affair he resolved to leave her as soon as his youngest daughter turned eighteen. Twelve years later, while taking her to Pittsburgh to start university, he remembers his pact, and keeps driving West.





An unforgettable road trip novel, The Rest of Our Lives beautifully explores the nuance and complications of a long term marriage.



An Observer 'Novel to look out for in 2025' and an FT 'Best Summer Read'





What readers are saying about The Rest of Our Lives:

'What a powerful tale; a really unexpected treasure.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Highly recommended if you want to read something real and something that will resonate.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The best novel I've read this year. Highly recommended.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I absolutely loved it - the perfect mix of funny, poignant and thought-provoking.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



Benjamin Markovits grew up in Texas, London and Berlin. His novels include Either Side of Winter, You don't Have to Live Like This and, most recently, The Sidekick. He has published essays, stories, poetry and reviews in the Guardian, Granta, The Paris Review and The New York Times, among others. In 2013 Granta selected him as one of their Best of Young British Novelists and in 2015 he won the Eccles British Library Writer in Residence Award and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. He lives in London and teaches creative writing at Royal Holloway, University of London.