Manchester has a reputation for being one of the UK’s loudest cities. From its smoggy inception as the first industrial city to its proud traditions of protest and activism, to blazing a trail in the British music scene, the city has always been defined by an inexorable sense of urgency and activity. No wonder, then, that it feels compelled to shout so loudly about its accomplishments. In stark contrast, The Book of Manchester is more concerned with dialling down that sometimes deafening hubris. As international investment pours into the city, reshaping its skyline, these stories ask: at what cost? From the pair of homeless friends intent on shattering the ‘Manctopia’ property dream, to the middle-aged fangirl feeling abandoned by both her husband and her city, we follow the struggles of ordinary residents navigating a city in dramatic flux – stories of thrilling quietude that might otherwise be lost amid the roar and clamour.