William Gerhardie's first comic novel tells the story of a young Englishman who returns to St Petersburg where he was raised and falls in love with the daughter of a highly eccentric and dysfunctional family - a relationship which is played out with the armies of the Russian Revolution marching outside the parlour window. Part British romantic comedy, part Russian social realism, with Gerhardie's trademark large cast of wonderfully realised and highly memorable characters, this funny and poignant novel is the tale of persistance in love and hope in the face of what should be insurmountably difficult circumstances.

William Gerhardie is one of the twentieth century's forgotten masters; his debut novel Futility the tale of a young Englishman in Russia, is one of his comic masterpieces.

About the Author
William Gerhardie (1895-1977) was born in St Petersburg. Leaving Russia in the wake of the 1917 revolution, Gerhardie travelled to Siberia with the British Military Mission. His first novel Futility was published in 1922.

Reviews
To my generation Gerhardie was the most important new novelist to appear in our young life -- Graham Greene
True, devastating. A wonderful book -- HG Wells
Futility is a living book - it is warm. One can put it down and it keeps on breathing -- Katherine Mansfield
Dazzling and funny... Everyone should read one Gerhardie novel, at least, and Futility is probably as good as any' * Sunday Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9781786694805
Author William Gerhardie
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Apollo Library
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC