Pushing the Wave 2023

In Pushing the Wave 2023, L.A. Davenport returns with a captivating new collection of essays, stories, reflections, and recipes, continuing the journey begun in his volume covering 2017–2022. With his trademark blend of insight, humour, and lyrical prose, Davenport explores the shifting landscape of modern life—charting the personal, political, cultural, and culinary with clarity and compassion.

Whether recounting ferry journeys across European seas, reflecting on the nature of addiction and sobriety, critiquing the seductive illusion of progress, or sharing favourite dishes from his kitchen, Davenport’s writing offers a rare combination of intellect and intimacy. These entries span the profound and the playful, the global and the domestic, all underpinned by a keen sense of the beauty and absurdity in everyday life.

Perfect for readers of reflective non-fiction, literary memoir, and contemporary commentary, Pushing the Wave 2023 is a richly textured mosaic of a year lived thoughtfully—and a timely invitation to slow down, look around, and truly engage.

For fans of: Rebecca Solnit, Karl Ove Knausgård, Teju Cole, Deborah Levy, and those who cherish personal writing that speaks to the world at large.

“An engaging and varied and widely ranging collection that can be dipped into.” Camille O, NetGalley.

You can read more about Pushing the Wave 2023 on our blog here.

To learn more about how the book took shape, and the pieces, drawings and photographs it contains, visit L.A. Davenport's website here.

L.A. Davenport is a writer and storyteller born in Cork, Ireland. He studied Medical Sciences and Social Anthropology at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and has written novels, short stories, essays and reflections exploring science, history and the human experience. He divides his time between Lincolnshire and the Côte d’Azur, and has a fondness for typewriters, long walks and strong cups of tea.

Learn more about L.A. Davenport and his writing at Pushing the Wave.