The Rest of Our Lives

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2025





'An elegant, devastating book.' OBSERVER

'Funny, wise and knowing.' CLARE CHAMBERS

'Packs a serious emotional punch.' DAILY TELEGRAPH





When Tom's wife had an affair, he resolved to leave her once their children had grown up. Twelve years later, after driving his daughter to university, he remembers his pact and keeps driving West to visit friends, family and an old girlfriend.





But he also has secrets of his own - trouble at work and health issues - and sometimes running away is the hardest thing to do.





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.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The perfect mix of funny, poignant and thought-provoking.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Deeply heartfelt and engrossing . . . I can't stop thinking about it!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'It packs an emotional punch . . . I know Tom will stay with me for a long time.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I loved it - almost a coming-of-old-age story.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



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 The Sidekick. 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.