"In this haunting new novel, the act of forgetting is as strange and interesting as the power of remembering." —The New York Times Book Review
An enjoyable read filled with memorable characters and secrets from Booker Prize winner Penelope Lively
Allersmead is a big shabby Victorian suburban house. The perfect place to grow up for elegant Sandra, difficult Gina, destructive Paul, considerate Katie, clever Roger and flighty Clare.
But was it?
Now adults, the children return to Allersmead one by one. To their home-making mother and aloof writer father, and a house that for years has played silent witness to a family's secrets.
And one devastating secret of which no one speaks . . .
Named a Guardian "Book of the Year" Nominated for The Costa Prize
"In this haunting new novel, the act of forgetting is as strange and interesting as the power of remembering." —The New York Times Book Review
"Lively immediately plunges us into an entirely convincing world of bustling family life...exceptionally well observed and gloriously enjoyable...this should be rated as one of her most impressive works." ― Guardian
"One of those ridiculously simple, ridiculously readable novels whose artistry only becomes apparent when you put it down with a sign of regret, having devoured it in one sitting...Lively still displays an economy and an elegance that put younger writers to shame." ― Sunday Telegraph (London)
"Lively's brilliance is of the creeping kind. There is a sense of formality, which falls away as the novel gains pace and builds towards an unforeseen end. She is particularly good at bending language to make it fit her cool and clear voice...Lively succeeds brilliantly in getting a hold on the climate of family life. Slowly we absorb the details that get lost in the bluster and flurry until we are so drawn in, so tightly contained in the dynamics of this one, that the end, when it comes, is simply devastating." ― The Times (London)
"A pleasure to read, hugely enjoyable, consistently absorbing, hilarious." ― Independent (London)
"Sympathetic and observant, Lively moves fluidly between present-tense set-piece scenes and silent monologues, placing the novel's revelations where they will be most effective, and allowing implications - about marriage, feminism and personal ambition - to blossom slowly." ― Sunday Times (London)
"A very readable, well-paced novel peopled with Lively's customary immaculately observed and impeccably rounded characters." ― Independent on Sunday (London)
"Lively skilfully mingles past and present, as she peels away the layers to uncover a family secret of which no one speaks...Lively's astute skewering of family relations reverberates in the mind long afterwards." ― Daily Mail (London)
"In this haunting new novel, the act of forgetting is as strange and interesting as the power of remembering." —The New York Times Book Review
An enjoyable read filled with memorable characters and secrets from Booker Prize winner Penelope Lively
Allersmead is a big shabby Victorian suburban house. The perfect place to grow up for elegant Sandra, difficult Gina, destructive Paul, considerate Katie, clever Roger and flighty Clare.
But was it?
Now adults, the children return to Allersmead one by one. To their home-making mother and aloof writer father, and a house that for years has played silent witness to a family's secrets.
And one devastating secret of which no one speaks . . .
Praise
Named a Guardian "Book of the Year" Nominated for The Costa Prize
"In this haunting new novel, the act of forgetting is as strange and interesting as the power of remembering." —The New York Times Book Review
"Lively immediately plunges us into an entirely convincing world of bustling family life...exceptionally well observed and gloriously enjoyable...this should be rated as one of her most impressive works." ― Guardian
"One of those ridiculously simple, ridiculously readable novels whose artistry only becomes apparent when you put it down with a sign of regret, having devoured it in one sitting...Lively still displays an economy and an elegance that put younger writers to shame." ― Sunday Telegraph (London)
"Lively's brilliance is of the creeping kind. There is a sense of formality, which falls away as the novel gains pace and builds towards an unforeseen end. She is particularly good at bending language to make it fit her cool and clear voice...Lively succeeds brilliantly in getting a hold on the climate of family life. Slowly we absorb the details that get lost in the bluster and flurry until we are so drawn in, so tightly contained in the dynamics of this one, that the end, when it comes, is simply devastating." ― The Times (London)
"A pleasure to read, hugely enjoyable, consistently absorbing, hilarious." ― Independent (London)
"Sympathetic and observant, Lively moves fluidly between present-tense set-piece scenes and silent monologues, placing the novel's revelations where they will be most effective, and allowing implications - about marriage, feminism and personal ambition - to blossom slowly." ― Sunday Times (London)
"A very readable, well-paced novel peopled with Lively's customary immaculately observed and impeccably rounded characters." ― Independent on Sunday (London)
"Lively skilfully mingles past and present, as she peels away the layers to uncover a family secret of which no one speaks...Lively's astute skewering of family relations reverberates in the mind long afterwards." ― Daily Mail (London)
