Brother of the More Famous Jack

Barbara Trapido

Bright, stylish Katherine is offered a place to study philosophy by Jacob Goldman because of her unusual views on Jane Austen's Emma. She little expects to find herself in the Goldmans' home, a rambling house in Sussex, while Jacob's untidy but enchanting wife Jane gives birth to their sixth child, little Rosie does headstands, stroppy Jonathan goes off fishing. Even more unexpectedly, Roger wins her heart playing beautiful music on his violin.

Katherine and Roger embark on a love affair that ends in tears and Katherine leaves for Rome...

Winner of the Whitbread Special Prize for Fiction.

Its high spirits are irresistible. Like Moll Flanders, the heroine is unstoppable. - Sunday Telegraph