‘Warm, wise, witty, and just plain fun’ Maggie Shipstead
At a perfectly ordinary cocktail party, Francis is introduced to Billy and – although it slips right by him at the time – he falls in love with her at once.
Billy is a serious, often glum person. An economic historian, she is indifferent to a great many things (clothes, food, home décor), frowns easily and is frequently irritated.
Francis is older. He likes routine and a well-run household; he likes to pay for dinner, open car doors and call Billy at night to make sure she is safe.
Both are happily married – but not to each other.
So begins a whirlwind love affair, perfectly captured in this frank, funny irresistible novel, from its fabulous inception to its inevitable end.
A W&N Essential with an introduction by Caroline O’Donoghue
At a perfectly ordinary cocktail party, Francis is introduced to Billy and – although it slips right by him at the time – he falls in love with her at once.
Billy is a serious, often glum person. An economic historian, she is indifferent to a great many things (clothes, food, home décor), frowns easily and is frequently irritated.
Francis is older. He likes routine and a well-run household; he likes to pay for dinner, open car doors and call Billy at night to make sure she is safe.
Both are happily married – but not to each other.
So begins a whirlwind love affair, perfectly captured in this frank, funny irresistible novel, from its fabulous inception to its inevitable end.
A W&N Essential with an introduction by Caroline O’Donoghue
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
These should be read one at a time, perhaps just before bed as a respite from an especially trying day
An infallible recipe for happiness: read as much Laurie Colwin as you can
Virtually flawless . . . A tour de force
Whether or not their love goes on is unimportant. The joy is in the intimacy, the utter weirdness and intensity of their connection
Laurie Colwin is such a wise, witty and simply enchanting novelist
If anyone wrote eloquently and magnificently about affairs of the heart, it was Laurie Colwin
