Casting Off

What magic transforms a book into a compelling, moving, unputdownable read? I don’t know, but whatever it is, [The Cazalet Chronicles] have it. The characters! I cared about them so much. They behave in interesting, venal, believable ways. They’re recognisably human: frustrating, flawed, lovable. Maybe my favourite books ever -- Marian Keyes, bestselling author of <i>My Favourite Mistake</i> She is one of those novelists who shows, through her work, what the novel is for . . . She helps us to do the necessary thing – open our eyes and our hearts -- Hilary Mantel, bestselling author of the Wolf Hall trilogy Like [Elena] Ferrante, Howard’s fictional sphere is domestic and yet reveals deeper truths about human nature -- Elizabeth Day, bestselling author of <i>Magpie</i> Howard is a sharp observer of human drama and psychology, and writes about pain, loss and longing superbly well -- Monica Ali, bestselling author of <i>Love Marriage</i> I don’t know how I’d managed to miss [The Cazalet Chronicles] until now, but they’re absolute heaven -- Meg Mason, bestselling author of <i>Sorrow and Bliss</i> [N]o detail is too small to be included, so charged with significance is the material envelope of that lost world -- Tessa Hadley, bestselling author of <i>After the Funeral</i> A dazzling historical reconstruction -- Penelope Fitzgerald, Booker Prize-winning author of <i>Offshore</i> Charming, poignant and quite irresistible . . . to be cherished and shared * The Times * The Cazalets have earned an honoured place among the great saga families . . . rendered thrillingly three-dimensional by a master craftsman * Sunday Telegraph *