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A perceptive novel from our favourite chronicler of the dilemmas of modern family life.Catherine and Caroline, Toby and Mark were globetrotting British 'diplo-brats', whose childhood homes lay in Italy or Israel, France or Washington DC – wherever their father was posted at the time. But all that was years ago. Now Catherine is approaching middle-age, married to a life of cheeseparing selflessness looking after young offenders on a chilly organic farm; Mark is a prim supermarket executive, Caroline a wealthy Kensington wife, and Toby – well, Toby is a problem. The joker in the pack. He always was. Amid growing tensions, marriage-fatigue and unspoken resentments, the apparent tragedy of Toby's disappearance jolts his sisters and brother into making angry, anxious from California to Flanders, back in time and into their own hearts.
- GenresFiction
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
24 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Libby Purves
71 books14 followersLibby Purves is a journalist and author who has been writing for The Times since 1982. A previous columnist of the year and author of 12 novels and non-fiction books, she was for 40 years a BBC Radio 4 broadcaster after becoming the Today programme’s first woman and youngest presenter.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 24, 2019
The book is about four adult children of diplomats, and their different lifestyles.
It's very well-written, albeit with not a great deal of actual plot. But there are strong emotions, and many nicely intertwined subplots. Several surprises, and an unexpected ending with a wonderful concluding paragraph.
There are some slightly caricatured people, but I found them all memorable. Even the snooty Artemis felt almost believable while reading. And I particularly liked Cat, the eldest of four children, who holds everything together... at least for most of the book.
I had entirely forgotten the story, even the most shocking of events, when re-reading after sixteen years.
Highly recommended. Four and a half stars would be better.
Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
Very enjoyable.
It's very well-written, albeit with not a great deal of actual plot. But there are strong emotions, and many nicely intertwined subplots. Several surprises, and an unexpected ending with a wonderful concluding paragraph.
There are some slightly caricatured people, but I found them all memorable. Even the snooty Artemis felt almost believable while reading. And I particularly liked Cat, the eldest of four children, who holds everything together... at least for most of the book.
I had entirely forgotten the story, even the most shocking of events, when re-reading after sixteen years.
Highly recommended. Four and a half stars would be better.
Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
Very enjoyable.
October 23, 2011
Ahh there is nothing like a lazy Sunday lie in and a comforting British family saga. Complete with your average poorly plumbed shabby farm and a wonderful dysfunctional family. Pure bliss....
January 12, 2018
Rather a far fetched tale....
September 6, 2020
Immensely dull
May 16, 2021
I had forgotten how good this is. Very believable characters and beautifully written.
August 12, 2021
it was okay and took a bit of time to get into
the main idea of the plot felt quite ignored for the whole of the book
the main idea of the plot felt quite ignored for the whole of the book
May 25, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I thought the first few chapters were not as well written as the latter part of the book. I enjoyed the story and am reading more of Libby's books
July 24, 2024
Lots of tangents
Having reread it after 20 years I enjoyed it just as much. In some ways the last sentence is the best.
Having reread it after 20 years I enjoyed it just as much. In some ways the last sentence is the best.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews