Book description
i> is less savage in theme than some of Ivy Compton-Burnett's
fiction and, with its richly funny scenes with the children and happily
resolved ending, makes a perfect introduction to this distinguished
author's highly individual world - a closed world of intense
relationships within late Victorian upper-class families, a world in
which the normally unspoken is stated and the unthinkable enacted, with
dark revelations blandly emerging from formal speeches of great
subtlety. Eleanor and Fulbert Sullivan live, with their nine children
ranging from nursery to university age, in a huge country house
belonging to Fulbert's parents, Sir Jesse and Lady Regan. Sir Jesse
sends Fulbert, his only son, on a business mission to South America.
News comes of Fulbert's death, and his executor, Ridley Cranmer, plans
an impulsive marriage to Eleanor... but is Fulbert really dead? And what
is the mystery surrounding the parentage of the three strange Marlowes
living in genteel penury on the fringe of the great estate?
Parents and Children<
i> is less savage in theme than some of Ivy
Compton-Burnett's fiction and, with its richly funny scenes with the
children and happily resolved ending, makes a perfect introduction to
this distinguished author's highly individual world - a closed world
of intense relationships within late Victorian upper-class families, a
world in which the normally unspoken is stated and the unthinkable
enacted, with dark revelations blandly emerging from formal speeches
of great subtlety. Eleanor and Fulbert Sullivan live, with their nine
children ranging from nursery to university age, in a huge country
house belonging to Fulbert's parents, Sir Jesse and Lady Regan. Sir
Jesse sends Fulbert, his only son, on a business mission to South
America. News comes of Fulbert's death, and his executor, Ridley
Cranmer, plans an impulsive marriage to Eleanor... but is Fulbert
really dead? And what is the mystery surrounding the parentage of the
three strange Marlowes living in genteel penury on the fringe of the
great estate? Parents and Children<
