Book description
Paris in the 1890s. Adam Gould, whose Anglo-Irish father has
disowned him, works in a lunatic asylum run by the celebrated Dr
Blanche, some of whose patients once starred in France's social
firmament and still, when sane, sit at table with distinguished
guests. One such patient is Guy de Maupassant. Another is Belcastel,
who has taken the blame for a monarchist plot against the Third
Republic, then feigned insanity. Madness and uncertain identity drive
Adam's story, fuelled by Maupassant's sparkling insights on the
matter. Gould falls in love with a married connection of Belcastel's.
And things are made no simpler on his return home, when he becomes
entangled with a cousin who looks hauntingly like his dead mother. A
writer of stunning quality, a novelist of irony and compassion.' The
Daily Telegraph Splendidly readable.' William Trevor '...a highly
original work of fiction, urbane, elegant and full of esprit.'
Patricia Craig Independent '...a remarkable work, written in a style
of steely distinction.' Francis King Literary Review '... a vivid and
absorbing story, fast-paced and confident of its strong historical
flavourings.' Eve Patten Irish Times 'The novel is witty and
thoutghtful...' Times Literary Supplement
