Rafal's Saga

'What kind of story you want? Rough story or nice story?' A collaboration between author Will Ashon and Michal Novosad,  Rafal's Saga  presents a tale of homeless life in London: the difficulties, the despair, the endless problems, but also the humanity and humour and, most of all, the heartbreaking beauty of being alive. As William Morris pointed out, the most grinding poverty is a trifling evil compared with the inequality of classes and this inequality of class is crystallised in the decisions we make when we see someone begging. Michal tells the story of the death of his friend, Rafal, and in doing so forces us to confront what it means if and when we calculate whether someone is worthy of receiving our small change.

WILL ASHON is the author of two recent works of non-fiction,  Strange Labyrinth, about Epping Forest, and  Chamber Music: About the Wu-Tang (In 36 Pieces), which focuses on the first album by New York rap group the Wu-Tang Clan (both published by Granta Books). He previously founded and ran the record label, Big Dada (Roots Manuva, Wiley, Kate Tempest), while at the same time, writing two novels, published by Faber & Faber. Chamber Music has been described as 'charged and thrilling' (The Guardian) and 'clever, provocative, ambitious' (Big Issue).