First published 2003
Tristram Bone cuts a peculiar figure in his world of privilege and idleness. This wealthy, rotund man has mastered the art of organized leisure but stumbles when it comes to women. His heart belongs to Elizabeth Poor, a captivating widow whose beauty and charm make her the center of their social circle. Elizabeth remains beyond his reach, leaving Bone to navigate a maze of romantic entanglements, both real and fabricated by wagging tongues. Their circle includes the pompous academic Paul Steitler, who wields his seductive charm like a weapon. Elizabeth's son Lee watches these adult games with innocent eyes, while her all-knowing mother Maroo observes from the sidelines. The novelist George Motley adds his own complications to the mix. Even Bone's servant Emma and his pet monkey Simon become part of this intricate web of relationships. As gossip spreads and jealousies flare, these characters dance around each other in patterns of desire and disappointment. The story explores how people connect and fail to connect, revealing the fragile bonds that hold families and friendships together.
Genres: literary-fiction, 20th-century, contemporary, adult-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: friends-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
267 pages · Paperback · Brook st Pr