Where to Start Reading Alex George
Because all of Alex George's novels are completely standalone works, you can pick up any of his books in any order without worrying about missing plot connections or character arcs. However, depending on what type of reader you are, there are two ideal starting points that showcase the very best of his writing style:
- For Lovers of Immersive Historical Settings: Start with The Paris Hours (2020). Set over the course of a single, vibrant day in 1927 Paris, it weaves a gorgeous, fast-paced mosaic of four ordinary lives intersecting with famous historical figures like Marcel Proust, Gertrude Stein, and Josephine Baker.
- For Fans of Sweeping Multigenerational Sagas: Start with A Good American (2012). This novel is a heartwarming, funny, and poignant story that follows a German immigrant family over the course of a century as they find their place in a small Missouri town. It is the perfect introduction to George's focus on identity, home, and belonging.
Alex George Books in Publication Order
For readers who want to experience Alex George’s development as a writer, reading in publication order is a fascinating journey. His bibliography divides clearly into two distinct eras: his early contemporary British novels written while he practiced law in London and Paris, and his later historical works written after he relocated to the United States.
- Working It Out (1999) – Alex George's debut novel introduces Johnathan Burlip, a comfortable London corporate attorney whose life unravels, forcing him to reconstruct his professional and personal relationships from the ground up in a much less prestigious environment.
- Before Your Very Eyes (2000) – Centering on Simon Teller—a modern man trying to balance being a amateur magician, a gourmet cook, and a jazz enthusiast—this contemporary novel explores eccentric character dynamics and the struggle to find personal fulfillment.
- Love You Madly (2002) – A witty contemporary narrative set in the worlds of music, law, and romance, exploring the unexpected ways people find connections in the modern world.
- Wonderful You (2005) – A poignant, humorous look at the pressures of modern marriage, following Andrew and Catherine Shaw as they navigate career, parenting, and the realization that what they truly want might have been right in front of them all along.
- A Good American (2012) – George's breakout American novel, tracing the multi-generational journey of the Meisenheimer family from Germany to the American Midwest in 1904, spanning a century of music, love, and cultural adaptation.
- Setting Free the Kites (2017) – A moving coming-of-age story set in 1970s Maine, exploring the transformative power of friendship, family tragedies, and the resilience of youth through the eyes of two young boys.
- The Paris Hours (2020) – A lyrical, interconnected historical novel taking place over twenty-four hours in Paris in the late 1920s, following a housemaid, a painter, a puppeteer, and a journalist who are all searching for something they have lost.
The Style Shift: Early Contemporary vs. Later Epics
Readers should note that there is a major shift in tone and genre midway through Alex George's career. His first four novels (published between 1999 and 2005) are light, contemporary relationship dramas and romantic comedies set in the UK and Europe. They reflect his experiences as a young lawyer living in London and Paris. After moving to Missouri in 2003, George took a seven-year hiatus from publishing, returning with A Good American in 2012. His later novels are deeper, highly lyrical historical fiction epics that deal extensively with historical themes, geographic displacement, and the immigrant experience.
What to Know Before You Start
Alex George's real-life experiences heavily influence his writing. Having studied law at Oxford and worked as an attorney in London, Paris, and eventually Missouri, his books reflect an intimate understanding of these locations. He is also a passionate advocate for literature, having founded the Unbound Book Festival and opening Skylark Bookshop in Columbia, Missouri. It is also important to note that the novelist Alex George is not the same person as Dr. Alex George, the prominent British TV doctor, youth mental health ambassador, and non-fiction author of books like A Better Day and The Mind Manual.