[close] John Henry Lanchester (born 25 February 1962) is a British journalist and novelist.

Educated at Gresham's School, Holt between 1972 and 1980, Lanchester is the author of three novels: The Debt to Pleasure (1996), Mr Phillips (2000) and Fragrant Harbour (2002).

The Debt to Pleasure won the 1996 Whitbread Book Award in the First Novel category and the 1997 Hawthornden Prize. It was described as a skilful and wickedly funny account of a man's life, revealed through his thoughts on cuisine as he undertakes a mysterious journey around France. The revelations become more and more shocking as the truth about the narrator becomes apparent. He is a monster, and yet an appealing and erudite villain.

[close]