More Lives Than One - Hardcover

Libby Purves

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0340680423 ISBN 13: 9780340680421

Publisher: Sceptre, 1998

Synopsis

A generous hearted novel of modern family life. Anna and Kit are both schoolteachers, longing for a baby of their own but there is no sign so far. The marriage is perhaps more companionable than high-voltage emotionally. But a disastrous school trip to Venice triggers a sequence of events that are to have serious consequences on all aspects of their lives. Kit Milcourt - impatient, quirky, idealistic and brilliant - has been a climber, diver in exotic waters and affluent young city banker. Now, because of his beloved Anna, he is a teacher. Glumly mediocre Sandmarsh High School, reeling under assaults from Inspectors and its own unpromising pupils, is hard put to contain his maverick ideas. Year Seven, on the other hand, love them. Only the soothing presence of Anna keeps the peace. But Anna can't guard her erratic husband on the school trip: instead a far darker, more malevolent staffroom presence crosses Europe and discovers what Kit has secretly planned for the children amid the dim alleys of winter Venice. But children are unpredictable too, and things move rapidly beyond both teachers' control. Between farce and tragedy the resulting events swiftly change Kit's and Anna's live in unthinkable ways, strain a great love to the limit and open a dark chasm into the past.

About this title

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 a O.B.E for services to journalism. She lives in Suffolk with her husband the broadcaster and writer Paul Heiney.

Review

'Well-told and enjoyable ... [the voice] is that of someone genuinely interested in the varieties of human experience, amused but not mocking, understanding but not judgmental' Sunday Telegraph 'A glorious romp ... with a healthy dose of satire on media manners and a generous injection of knockabout comedy into the bargain' Country Living 'One to sell like hotcakes, Purves' depiction of family chaos will make you laugh out loud.' She Libby Purves' prose is clean, sharp and in touch with things that matter'Daily Express 'Purves' novel of ordinary lives is compelling, her perceptions acute ... sophisticated and skilful'Daily Telegraph 'Lively and robustly honest' Sunday Express 'A sure touch for dramatising the lacerations and upheavals of ordinary life' Sunday Times 'A keen eye for the picaresque' Scotsman 'Five-star fiction' Penny Vincenzi 'Ms Purves has the gift of tongues - a born novelist' Fay Weldon 'A feel-good novel ... hilarious ... humorous ... fabulously incisive'Independent 'Humour, humanity and relish for the enjoyably mundane' The Times Libby Purves's previous novels, Casting Off, A Long Walk in Wintertime and Home Leave, were warmly received by the critics: A lovely read, and much enjoyed by my reader, who thinks that this is her best novel yet. * Sarah Broadhurst * As ever, Libby Purves draws you into the laughter and tears in the life of her characters, in this case teachers Kit and Anna. ... Like all her books, this is a cracking story * Woman's Weekly * 'Libby Purves has crafted a poignant novel with a modern tragedy interspersed with humour and malevolence' Worcester Evening News all the compassion characteristic of her writing in her previous novels and columns. ... This is a humane and perceptive novel * Woman & Home * 'a compelling love story which stubbornly refuses to pass judgement on a terrifying deviancy which haunts society' Eastern Daily Express 'a rare and wonderful treat' Northern Echo Purves's evocative descriptions of Venice intensify an already gripping narrative * Mail on Sunday * 'the kind of book that you race to finish and then think about for a long time afterwards' Beverly Davies,The Lady Purves' fourth novel is a skilled and serious attempt to deal with society's sensitivity (or oversensitivity) towards the treatment of children * Nottingham Evening Post * 'a good story, crisply and lightly told, that touches on many of teaching's current preoccupation and dilemmas and that grows in depth as it unfolds' The Times Educational Supplement an idiosyncratic blend of her journalistic voice ... With the skills of a writer who understands the proper balance in a novel between issue and narrative. ... This is her best novel ... [and] will find an answering echo in many readers * Elizabeth Buchan, The Times * 'Her story of Kit Milcourt [...] is passionately felt and a moving expose of the graveyard of talent, imagination and energy that is the domain of too many schools.' Elizabeth Buchan, Night & Day (Dec '98) a brilliant dissection of troubled lives * Prima, London * done with a finesse which makes the words live on in your memory long after the novel has been put away * Gina Sykes, The Examiner * More Reviews:

Edition details

• Publisher: Sceptre
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0340680423
• ISBN 13: 9780340680421
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320