The life-affirming debut novel by the Belle and Sebastian frontman.

It's the early 1990s in Glasgow, and Stephen - music loving romantic - has emerged from a lengthy hospital stay diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, a little-understood disease that has robbed him of any prospects of work, a social life or independent living. Meeting fellow strugglers, who the world seems to care less and less for, they form their own support group and try to get by as cheaply and as painlessly as possible.

Finding that he has the ability to write songs, albeit in a slow and fledgling way, Stephen wakes to the possibility of a spiritual life beyond the everyday. Leaving Glasgow in search of a cure in the mythic warmth of California, Stephen and his friend Richard float between hostels, sofas, and park benches. Could the trip really offer them both a new-world reinvention?

A poignant, poetic and quietly inspirational story. -- PETE PAPHIDES

Nobody's Empire is as memorable as it is moving [and] is a bright spotlight on a condition left to moulder too long in the dark. It's a public service in print. -- Stephen McGinty ― The Times

I was drawn in to and invested in Stephen's world from the very first pages. -- NORMAN BLAKE

Stuart Murdoch has made the transition from gifted songwriter to splendid author. Nobody's Empire is a marvellous coming of age novel. -- ROBERT FORSTER

Murdoch's first novel is empathetic, funny and heartwarming. -- David Nobahkt ― Buzz Magazine

An epic saga. ― SNACK

Having been captivated by our most evocative lyricist since his debut LP, it is a delight to see all his power, sadness and beauty in a full length novel. -- ROBIN INCE