The Hopkins Manuscript

The funny and moving story of the apocalypse – as seen from one small village in England

‘I loved this book, by turns funny and tragic… It moves between abject despair and good old-fashioned British stoicism with ease. Magical’ Jeff Noon, Spectator, Books of the Year 2018

Retired teacher Edgar Hopkins lives for the thrill of winning poultry prizes. But his narrow world is shattered when he learns that the moon is about to come crashing into the earth, with apocalyptic consequences. The manuscript he leaves behind will be a testament – to his growing humanity and to how one English village tried to survive the end of the world…

Written in 1939 as the world was teetering on the brink of global war, R. C. Sherriff’s tragicomic novel is a masterly work of science fiction, and a powerful warning from the past.

‘Spectacular, skilled and moving. It is supremely and alarmingly relevant’ Fay Weldon

‘Intensely readable and touching’ Sunday Telegraph