About the Author

Libby Purves is a writer and also a broadcaster who has presented the talk programme Midweek on Radio 4 since 1984 and formerly presented Today. She is a main columnist on the Times and in 1999 was named the Granada "What the Papers Say" Columnist of the Year, and awarded an O.B.E for services to journalism. She lives in Suffolk with her husband, the broadcaster and writer Paul Heiney, and their two children.

Review

"* 'Purves' prose is clear and unfussy' - Observer on ACTING UP * 'Her novels are good-natured, perceptive accounts of family dilemmas.' - The Lady on CONTINENTAL DRIFT * 'Purves's great skill is her ability to marry her cultural and historical insights with her characters' personal development - all wrapped up in a well-paced detective story.... Engrossing.' - Joanna Hunter, The Times on MOTHER COUNTRY * 'Most gripping... erupts with extraordinary and unexpected force." - David Shukman, Daily Mail, on A FREE WOMAN"

Product Description

Sally, Kate and Marienka. Three young women who meet as undergraduates in 1970s Oxford and share their romantically shabby canalside house with Max Bellinger -- clever, attractive, enigmatic Max. Sally -- our narrator --idolises Max, who is something of an homme fatale. But it is Max's wayward rock singer brother, Marty, who is to play the most important role in her life, when one of his songs (for which she provided the lyrics) becomes an unexpected hit. Although their paths diverge once they leave Oxford, Sally stays in touch with all the housemates and their lives remain interwoven throughout the momentous second half of the twentieth century.