Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout

Viking Penguin, £14.99, 256 pages

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The best-known and certainly the most dramatic novel about a former spouse is probably Rebecca. Not every story about an ex features murder, infidelity, madness and arson (much as we may wish it to). Nonetheless, exes engender lasting feelings, irritation, resentment and occasional bursts of nostalgic affection probably chief among them. They make excellent fictional fodder.

This has been a great year for stories in which previous partners loom. In the spring came Katherine Heiny’s marvellous Early Morning Riser, featuring an ex-wife whose interfering and bossiness are softened by her delicious cooking. When she comes around to offer unsolicited advice to her successor, she brings an irresistible pot roast. I can’t recommend this book highly enough: it’s like an Anne Tyler, but with better jokes.