Molly Keane

Le domaine de Sorristown, en Irlande, pourrait être un paradis sur terre : les hommes y sont beaux, les femmes charmantes et vertueuses. Le temps sécoule en douceur entre les parties de chasse, les c

Finis le champagne, les journées aux courses, les escapades à Monte-Carlo... Au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, les propriétaires de Ballyroden doivent changer drastiquement leur mode de vie

Jasper Swift et ses trois sœurs, nobliaux désargentés et vieillissants, mènent une morne existence dans le domaine de Durraghglass, vaste propriété irlandaise qui tombe en ruines. Élevés en vase clos

Grand jour pour lady Bird : la splendide demeure qu’elle habite avec son époux Julian s’apprête à résonner à nouveau du tumulte d’une famille au grand complet. John, l’amour de sa vie, l’aîné de ses

Lady Charlotte règne en despote sur le domaine de Garonlea. Son mari, ses quatre filles et son fils Desmond lui obéissent au doigt et à lœil. Quand ce dernier décide de prendre pour épouse la merveil

Le domaine de Sorristown, en Irlande, pourrait être un paradis sur terre : les hommes y sont beaux, les femmes charmantes et vertueuses. Le temps s’écoule en douceur entre les parties de chasse, les

L’histoire des St. Charles est celle d’une famille anglo-irlandaise, noble mais ruinée, vivant dans un mélange d’élégance et de décrépitude, et qui refuse de prendre en compte les réalités contempora

Angel, femme séduisante, égocentrique et généreuse, attend impatiemment le retour de son fils. Elle règne sur la vie de ses enfants. Aucun ne résiste à ses sourires manipulateurs. Elle a un plan pour

BY THE AUTHOR SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE She was . . . marvellousGUARDIANMolly Keane . . . is robust about sinful human nature and the intrigues of the heart V. S. PRITCHET Keanes distinctive blend of elegant savagery and deep affectionEVENING STANDARD Those who suffered because of her might think of Mary that she hurt others, herself she could not hurt; but Jer, knowing her better . . . knew she hurt herself perhaps most deeply. Since the death of her parents, Roguey, Maeve and Jer have cared for one another and for Sorristown, their elegant home. Together they have fished and hunted, unravelled secrets by bedroom fires and sipped gin cocktails. But this pattern of intimacy is about to be broken by Maeves marriage to Rowley. A week before the wedding, her bridesmaid Mary arrives. Meeting her for the first time Rowley describes Mary as a factor for disturbance, little realising the extent to which his prophecy will prove true for each of them.

BY THE AUTHOR SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE INTRODUCED BY POLLY DEVLIN Psychologically sharp, socially knowing and closely knitIRISH TIMESShe was . . . marvellousGUARDIAN A writer of geniusWALL STREET JOURNAL One glorious gothic mansion - Garonlea - and two rather different ladies who would be Queen . . .Lady Charlotte French-McGrath has successfully ruled over her family with a rod of iron until the arrival of Cynthia: beautiful, young, talented, selfish - and engaged to her son Desmond.When Cynthia enters the Jazz Age, on the surface her life passes in a whirl of hunting, drinking and romance. But the ghosts of Garonlea are only biding their time: they know the source of their power, a secret handed on from one generation to the next.

She was . . . marvellousGUARDIAN I admired many authors. But Molly, I lovedDIANA ATHILL A writer of geniusWALL STREET JOURNAL Angel, formidable hostess, social charmer and mother par excellence, confidently awaits the return of her little boy from the trials of war. She could not anticipate that the teenager who went away will return a grown man - bronzed and world-weary - a sophisticated American widow on his arm. Nor could she anticpate that her irrepressible daughter Slaney will similarly throw herself into romance (without asking her advice) and even her niece Tiddley will show an unexpected determination in getting on with her life. Faced with domestic insurrection on a grand scale, Angel will have to sharpen her wits to maintain her tyranny.

Keane has a sharp eye, but a compassionate oneGUARDIAN I admired many authors. But Molly, I loved DIANA ATHILL Miss Farrells genius lies in her remorselessness . . . deliciously funnyNEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Jessica and Jane have been living together for six months and are devoted friends - or are they? Jessica loves her friend with the cruelty of total possessiveness; Jane is rich, silly, and drinks rather too many brandy-and-sodas.Watching from the sidelines, their friend Sylvester regrets that Jane should be loved and bullied and perhaps even murdered by that frightful Jessica, but decides its none of his business. When the Irish gentleman George Playfair meets Jane, however, he thinks otherwise and entices her to Ireland where the battle for her devotion begins.

FROM THE AUTHOR SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE She was . . . marvellousGUARDIAN I admired many authors. But Molly, I loved DIANA ATHILL Keanes distinctive blend of elegant savagery and deep affectionEVENING STANDARD Grania and Sylvia Fox live in the Georgian house of Aragon, with their mother, their Aunt Pidgie and Nan ONeill, the family nurse. Grania is conducting a secret affair with Nans son, Foley, a wily horse-breeder, whilst Sylvia who is pretty in the right and accepted way falls for the charms of Captain Purvis. Attending Aragons strawberry teas, the British Army Officers can almost forget the reason for their presence in Ireland. But the days of dignified calm at Aragon are numbered, for Foley is a member of Sinn Fein.

She was . . . marvellousGUARDIANI admired many authors. But Molly, I lovedDIANA ATHILL Keanes distinctive blend of elegant savagery and deep affectionEVENING STANDARD Prudence, at nineteen, is reckless, laughing, wild; the despair of her elderly guardians. With her best friend, the subversive but very female Peter, she rackets round the Irish countryside among her beloved horses and dogs. But she feels betrayed by Peters growing interest in the new Master of Hounds, Saxon Major Anthony Countless. And what is Prudence to make of handsome Toby Sage, neighbour, huntsman and accredited flirt? Or of an inexplicable haunting? First published in 1928. This high-spirited novel with its subtle erotic undercurrents, is a glorious story of a ramshackle, tolerant society and of Prudences turbulent coming of age.

She was . . . marvellous GUARDIAN I admired many authors. But Molly, I loved DIANA ATHILL Keanes distinctive blend of elegant savagery and deep affection EVENING STANDARD To Ballinrath House, where purple bog gives way to slate-coloured mountains, comes Allan to visit his Irish cousins. No sooner has he arrived than he falls in love with Cousin Ann, though it seems that she only has eyes for Captain Dennys St Lawrence.