Welcome to the website of Diana Janney, author of philosophical, poignant, thought-provoking fiction, which has received international acclaim. Diana’s novel, A Man of Understanding Runner-Up in the People’s Book Prize 2023, has received amazing reviews. Keep in touch with all the latest news.

Diana’s novel, The Infinite Wisdom of Harriet Rose, has been translated into four languages, was longlisted for the Melissa Nathan Prize, and is available on CD as an Audio Book, read by Ruth Sillers, produced by the BBC. The film rights were bought by a British Film Company.

Find out more about Diana, formerly a London barrister and Philosophy postgraduate. Read reviews and extracts of her novels, and media interviews with Diana.

BUY DIANA’S BOOKS FROM AMAZON.CO.UK

Coming Soon

Diana’s new novel The Zen Violinist will be published on 1st October 2026. It is an enthralling, thought- provoking story about Suki Koyama, an English classical violinist struggling to hold on to her Zen nature after leaving Japan for her birthplace London, where a tragedy occurs.

Pre-order The Zen Violinist through Amazon and Waterstones.

Read more about The Zen Violinist here

The People’s Book Prize

It is with great pride that Diana can reveal that her novel A Man of Understanding is Runner Up in The People’s Book Prize 2023. Frederick Forsyth CBE was Patron Emeritus of the Prize.

Reviews

Kelly Holland, bookwormblogss

‘It is one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read. The words just flow so naturally but there is so much substance behind them. The relationship between Rufus/Blue and his grandfather (Granga) is something truly special and you really feel like you are reading about real people. The story is interspersed with poems written by Granga and Blue and whilst I am really not one for poetry even I could appreciate the beauty and poignancy of these poems. I finished reading the book with tears in my eyes…It’s something really special.’
W.D. Hart, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Illinois, Chicago (Engines of the Soul, Cambridge University Press)

‘The characters (even minor) are rich, the settings are vivid and the story is riveting.’
Veronika Jordan, Bookchatter@Cookiebiscuit, 5 Stars, Amazon Vine

‘Granga talks, philosophises, teaches Blue about poetry, good food and Aristotle and the Golden Mean. My favourite part of the book apart from the poems which alone deserve 5 stars, is the part where Blue meets twelve sheep in a field. This book could have been pretentious, snobby and aimed at a reader with an MA in philosophy at least to understand it, let alone appreciate its beauty. But it isn’t. You don’t need to like poetry (though I do) or have read Aristotle or Kant (I haven’t) to love it. It’s just beautiful and it made me cry.
Book Reviews

‘I loved the interaction between grandfather and grandson as they slowly got to know each other. Each helping the other to heal without realising. I loved the small little injection of humour throughout too…The poetry element in this story so beautifully written…Emotional, thought-provoking and a beautiful story of two people bonding slowly and finding their way in life after their loss.’
Kgiuls Instagram

‘A witty and heartwarming coming-of-age tale, centered on the inter-generational relationship between a grandfather and the grandson he had never met…Poetic in both content and style…a layered meaning that’ll make you reflect on the meaning of life.’
Sharon Rimmelzwaan, Beyond The Books

‘A novel that is multi layered and created the space for me to mull over the meaning of grief, love and guilt in friendship, and within a family. I have not read a book as philosophical as this for quite some time. Such a poetic novel in every way. I could say I felt almost honoured to read A Man of Understanding, I felt like I shared their journey and even became a little more aware from the feelings and thoughts it brought up. I could say I may have blinked a little tear away too.’
Cheryl M-M’s Book Blog, 5 Stars

‘I tell no lie when I say that I shed a tear at the end…for the beauty this work entails and encompasses, and brings together so seamlessly. A melding of word art, emotional turmoil and entwining it with such a firm grasp on existential thoughts and fears. I adored it. I love the art of poetry, and questions of philosophy that burn to be dissected. This is such a wonderful combination of the two, which is only enhanced by the presence of Blue and Horatio. The stripping of persona and relationships to the core of inner essence – soul…Then using core emotions of grief, abandonment, the need to belong and be loved to drive this powerful story to a conclusion, which is in itself once more a beginning or end…Beautiful work.’
Novel Delights

"I was not prepared for how this beautiful and poignant story completely captured my heart and stirred my senses. After being moved like never before from reading the evocative narrative I really struggled to read the last page as the tears in my eyes were distorting my vision. In my opinion, A Man of Understanding should be classed as a modern literary classic. It is stunning."