The Children's Book

About this book

Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize A spellbinding novel at once sweeping and intimate from the Booker Prizewinning author of Possession that spans the Victorian era through the World War I years and centers around a famous childrens book author and the passions betrayals and secrets that tear apart the people she loves. When Olive Wellwoods oldest son discovers a runaway named Philip sketching in the basement of the new Victoria and Albert Museuma talented working-class boy who could be a character out of one of Olives magical talesshe takes him into the storybook world of her family and friends. But the joyful bacchanals Olive hosts at her rambling country houseand the separate private books she writes for each of her seven childrenconceal more treachery and darkness than Philip has ever imagined. As these livesof adults and children alikeunfold lies are revealed hearts are broken and the damaging truth about the Wellwoods slowly emerges. But their personal struggles their hidden desires will soon be eclipsed by far greater forces as the tides turn across Europe and a golden era comes to an end. Taking us from the cliff-lined shores of England to Paris Munich and the trenches of the Somme The Childrens Book is a deeply affecting story of a singular family played out against the great rippling tides of the day. It is a masterly literary achievement by one of our most essential writers.