Mr Prendergast, an elderly Anglo-Irishman, is living out his last years in the decaying splendour of his family mansion. As his mind wanders through the gloom he finds it peopled with memories of his neglected wife, his pale shadow of a father, his icily glamorous mother and Alexander, the son she so jealously loved, killed in the First World War.
With only his ill-tempered alcoholic gardener left to attend to him, Mr Prendergast is content to pass his days in such ghostly company. Until young Diarmid arrives, keen-eyed and carrot-haired, to disperse the gathering darkness with curiosity, and the promise of friendship.

A heartbreakingly brilliant novel by one of Ireland's greatest living writers

About the Author
Jennifer Johnston is one of the foremost Irish writers of her, or any, generation. She has won the Whitbread Prize (THE OLD JEST), the Evening Standard Best First Novel Award (for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS), the Yorkshire Post Award, Best Book of the Year (twice, for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS and HOW MANY MILES TO BABYLON?). She was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize with SHADOWS ON OUR SKIN.

Reviews
Jennifer Johnston has written a beauty...full of sharp truth * Daily Telegraph *
Elegantly written... it is a tragic story with a merciful ending... Jennifer Johnston knows her Ireland as well as she knows human nature * Irish Times *
I greatly enjoyed and admired The Captains and the Kings -- Kingsley Amis * Observer *
Assured and skillful * The Sunday Times *
Formidably well done * Guardian *


Awards
Winner of Yorkshire Post Literary Award Best First Work Category 1972.



Book Information
ISBN 9780747259343
Author Jennifer Johnston
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Headline Review
Publisher Headline Publishing Group
Weight(grams) 120g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 12mm