By Alexander Masters

"Stuart: A Life Backwards" is a biographical book written by Alexander Masters and published in 2005. The book tells the true story of Stuart Clive Shorter, a homeless and mentally ill man living on the streets of Cambridge, England.

The book is unique in its structure, as it is written in reverse chronological order, beginning with the end of Stuart's life and moving backwards through time. Through this unconventional approach, the reader gains insight into Stuart's troubled past and the events that led to his current situation.

Masters became friends with Stuart while working for a homeless charity in Cambridge, and the book is based on his extensive interviews and interactions with Stuart over the course of several years. The book also includes excerpts from Stuart's own writing and letters, providing a personal and intimate perspective on his life and struggles.

London. Fourth Estate. 2005. 332p.