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A father goes as far as the Underworld to find the son he lost on the streets of Naples.

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When his son is killed by gangsters´ crossfire on his way to school, Neapolitan taxi driver Matteo is consumed with despair. An encounter with strangers in a café raises the possibility of bringing young Pippo back from the dead, if they can locate the entrance to the underworld . . .

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Praise for Hell´s Gate:

"Captivating ... unforgettable characters" Elle

"A triumphant initiation story filled with emotion" Livres Hebdo

"Masterfully done ... haunting" L´Express

Praise for The House of Scorta:

"Gaude does a remarkable job of sketching his characters...and there are many wonderful events and lovely interludes... [a] bewitching novel." - San Francisco Chronicle

"Gaude´s remarkable feel for such graceful human behaviour makes The House of Scorta never less than charming and sometimes strikingly truthful." - Financial Times

"Rich and vibrant. This is a work of wonder." AudioFile, Maine

"A rich canvas" Publishers Weekly

"Inspired by his love for Italy and stories of his wife´s family, Laurent Gaudé paints a vivid picture of life in a poor Italian village. He writes in an evocative prose, rich in quality and simplicity ... Books such as this are rare. Laurent Gaudé is a skilful writer who pushes the story into unpredictable twists and turns that will keep you enthralled to the very end." Historical Novel Society

Praise for Death of an Ancient King:

"Gaude writes in a courtly language with an elegiac, almost hypnotic rhythm." Sunday Telegraph

"Gaude writes in an elegiac, lyrical style, the simplicity of the prose matching the timelessness of his message." Sunday Business Post

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Laurent Gaudé was born in 1972 in Paris. He is a prize-winning author and playwright. In 2004 he won the prestigious Prix Goncourt.

Jane Aitken is a publisher and translator. She lives in London.

Emily Boyce is an editor and translator. She lives in London.

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