Description
In the spring of 1938 Elise Landau arrives at Tyneford, the great house on the bay. A bright young thing from Vienna forced to become a parlour-maid, she knows nothing about England, except that she won't like it. As servants polish silver and serve drinks on the lawn, Elise wears her mother's pearls beneath her uniform, and causes outrage by dancing with a boy called Kit. But war is coming and the world is changing. And Elise must change with it.
At Tyneford she learns that you can be more than one person.
And that you can love more than once.
A sweeping story of upstairs, downstairs, love and loss by the author of Mr Rosenblum's List.
About the Author
Natasha Solomons is the author of the internationally bestselling Mr Rosenblum's List, The Novel in the Viola, which was chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club, and The Gallery of Vanished Husbands. Natasha lives in Dorset with her son and her husband with whom she also writes screenplays. Her novels have been translated into 17 languages.
Reviews
'A deeply touching and blissfully romantic elegy for a lost world.' * The Times *
A vivid and poignant story about hope, loss and reinvention * Psychologies *
A warm story with a lovely uncloying sweetness. * Saga Magazine *
Solomons's confident timing means that we sense what is about to happen only moments before it occurs, and are compelled to read on, not as one might expect for the frisson of a new event, but for the thrill of having our intuition confirmed. * Stephanie Bishop, TLS *
For Mr Rosenblum's List:
'The descriptions of England - as friend, adversary and eventually home - are exquisite. A touching, surprising and satisfying read.'
'Utterly charming and very funny' * Paul Torday, author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen *
'An unususal, comedy-rich novel... a treat of a book'. * Guardian *
'a subtle and moving examination of the dilemma faced by immigrants to modern Britain'. * Observer *
'Prepare to be seriously charmed'. * The Times *
For Mr Rosenblum's List:
'The descriptions of England - as friend, adversary and eventually home - are exquisite. A touching, surprising and satisfying read.'
'Utterly charming and very funny' * Paul Torday, author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen *
'An unususal, comedy-rich novel... a treat of a book'. * Guardian *
'a subtle and moving examination of the dilemma faced by immigrants to modern Britain'. * Observer *
'Prepare to be seriously charmed'. * The Times *
'both a love story and an elegy to the English country house...the greatest pleasure is its stirring narrative and the constant sense of discovery within the historical sweep of Elise's life...Solomon's confident timing means that we sense what is about to happen only moments before it occurs, and are compelled to read on, not as one might expect for the frisson of a new event, but for the thrill of having our intuition confirmed.' * Stephanie Bishop, TLS *
'An engaging read ... ripe for the screen' * Guardian *
Book Information
ISBN 9780340995693
Author Natasha Solomons
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Sceptre
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 274g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 129mm * 26mm
