Novels:ElephantPushkin’s idea of unselfish and redeeming love, personified in an elephant, published by Salt in 2021. “Reminiscent of Peter Carey at his best, but it’s also original, funny, horrifying and irresistibly beguiling.” Miranda Seymour.Over the RainbowA story of unrequited love, espionage and the Wizard of Oz set in present day Afghanistan. Published in 2012 by Simon and Schuster. 'Stirring in everything from the Buddhas of Bamiyan that were destroyed by the Taliban to Samuel Beckett, this is a heady work of unashamedly writerly fiction.' Phil Baker, Sunday Times. The Leopard’s WifeA tale of love, war and a piano in the Congo. Published in 2010 by Simon and Schuster. ‘Pickering takes on some of the biggest themes of all – love, war, art –with a boldness that puts most novelists to shame.’ Max Davidson, Mail on Sunday. ‘Brilliant,’ Kate Saunders, The Times. Charlie PeaceA fabulist attack on organised religion. “Paul Pickering’s brilliant novel challenges our fondest preconceptions…genuinely subversive...all Pickering’s work is truly subversive,” J.G. Ballard.The Blue Gate of BabylonA black comedy set in ’60’s Berlin. Paul Pickering named as one of Top Ten Young British Novelists by WH Smith. Book becomes a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Booker long list.“Brilliantly exploits the fluently headlong manner of Evelyn Waugh’s early black farces,” The Sunday Times. “Superior Literature,” The New York Times.Perfect EnglishSet in Nicaragua during the Contra war.“Wickedly funny,” The Observer. “Reminiscent of the early Waugh,” Irish Times. Number two on Book Club best seller list. Booker long list.Wild About HarryPickering’s debut novel set in Paraguay. “Best black comedy of the year,” The Times. “Altogether, this is a smashing debut from a new comic novelist of terrific promise,” Valentine Cunningham, Observer (Professor of English, Oxford). Booker long list.Plays:After Hamlet (1994, New Grove Theatre), “Brio, panache and dexterity,” Harold Pinter. Walk Her Home (Louvre, Paris, 2001), “Stirring stuff,” The Times.Coming Home (Playground Theatre, London, 2021).Film:My Gypsy Wedding for Spirit Media films, 2010. Paul Pickering has contributed short stories and poems to publications all over the world.Specialties: Exploring. Afghanistan. Congo. Extreme Watercolours - like Extreme Ironing but with more artistic scope. Dried cep risotto.