A Guardian literary highlight
A Huffington Post 'One to Watch'

'Astounding' LENA DUNHAM, creator of Girls and author of Not That Kind of Girl

'The First Bad Man brings together all of July's talents - it's a book that must be read, a book that must be purchased - in duplicate - one for you, one for a friend. Don't think you can loan this book - you'll never get it back' A. M. HOMES, author of This Book Will Save Your Life and May We Be Forgiven

The first novel by the filmmaker, artist and bestselling author Miranda July confirms her as a spectacularly original, iconic, and important voice today, and a writer for all time. The First Bad Man is dazzling and unforgettable.

About the Author

Miranda July is a writer, filmmaker and artist. Her most recent book is The First Bad Man, a novel. July's collection of stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You, won the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award and has been published in twenty-three countries. Her writing has appeared in the Paris Review, Harper's, and the New Yorker; It Chooses You was her first book of non-fiction. She wrote, directed and starred in The Future and Me and You and Everyone We Know, which won the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and a Special Jury Prize at Sundance. In 2020 she debuted her third feature film, Kajillionaire. July lives in Los Angeles.

@mirandajuly | mirandajuly.com

Reviews
Perpetually surprising and subversive: first, funny, then strange and, finally, emotionally devastating * * Guardian * *
A masterpiece * * Dazed * *
The novel exploded my expectations and became unlike anything I've ever read . . . hilarious . . . A wry, smart companion on any day. It's warm, it has a heartbeat and a pulse. This is a book that is painfully alive * * The New York Times Book Review * *
Astounding . . . she will make you laugh, cringe and recognise yourself in a woman you never planned to be . . . Never has a novel spoken so deeply to my sexuality, my spirituality, my secret self. I know I am not alone -- LENA DUNHAM
I am in awe of Miranda July . . . The First Bad Man brings together all of July's talents - it's a book that must be read, a book that must be purchased - in duplicate - one for you, one for a friend. Don't think you can loan this book - you'll never get it back -- A. M. HOMES * * author of THIS BOOK WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE and MAY WE BE FORGIVEN * *
Miranda July's heroine in this unforgettable novel is one of the most original, most confounding and strangely sympathetic characters . . . This novel is almost impossible to put down, and confirms July as a novelist of the first order -- DAVE EGGERS
July's storytelling skills crackle to life * * New York Times * *
If I ever start to doubt the power of language and intelligence, I only have to read a few lines of July to have my faith restored -- GEORGE SAUNDERS * * author of TENTH OF DECEMBER * *
The first novel by the filmmaker and artist Miranda July is like one of those strange mythological creatures that are part one thing, part another - a griffin or a chimera, perhaps, or a sphinx . . . An immensely moving portrait of motherhood and what it means to take care of a child . . . July writes of Cheryl's discovery of maternal love with heartfelt emotion and power -- Michiko Kakutani * * New York Times * *
A book that I love. It is heartbreakingly sad, and thoughtful, and disgusting and hilarious -- Eva Wiseman * * Observer * *


Awards
Short-listed for James Tait Black Prize for Fiction 2016 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781838852740
Author Miranda July
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Canongate Canons
Publisher Canongate Books
Weight(grams) 201g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 18mm