'One of the most extraordinary writers of her generation'

The Age

Henry and Muriel Bell lead a peaceful life with their two small daughters in England on the cusp of the Second World War. When Muriel's Mr Hawthorne drops by unexpectedly one Sunday aftrnoon, the visit precipitates surprising turmoil in the small household. A man of respectable breeding and refined conversation, Mr H. has something to offer both Henry and Muriel, but his posting to London at the outbreak of war disturbs the suddenly delicate balance of personal affairs in the family.

In this, her last novel, Elizabeth Jolley explores issues of innocence and guilt, passion and possession, while carefully exposing the social mores of the time in restrained and sensuous prose.