Godchildren (Hardback)

Format:	Hardback 608 pages

Unavailable

10 Marketplace copies from £.68

More info
Bookseller reviews
Customer reviews

On a luxurious Balinese island, the charismatic tycoon Marcus Brand entertains his six godchildren. By the end of the weekend, secrets will be revealed that will change everybody's life, a climax to the web of lies and betrayals spun over the course of four decades. n nThe Godchildren are Charlie Crieff - aristocratic Old Etonian, fascinated and enthralled by Marcus's wealth and who devotes his life to securing an inheritance; Mary Merrett - daughter of one of Marcus's business colleagues, her life is blighted by tragedy; Jamie Temple - feckless but utterly charming, he drifts from one job to another, crossing Marcus's path just once too often for comfort; Saffron Weaver - delicate and sensitive as well as stunningly beautiful, she is unaware of her power over men, and of Marcus's power over her; Abigail Schwartzman - insecure and gauche, she blames Marcus for the disaster of her life; Stuart Bolton - the working class son of Marcus's dead chauffeur, he is torn between admiration and hatred for his supremely successful, capitalist godfather. n nThe story of the Godchildren is unputdownable.

Book details

Published
21/02/2002

Publisher
Orion

ISBN
9780752811635

Publisher and industry reviews

Jacket review

LAUNCH PARTY at the MET BAR 18th February 6.30-8.30pm Coverage of Launch Party:Daily Telegraph Peterborough column 20 FebDaily Mail 'Nigel Dempster' 20 FebEvening Standard Londoner's Diary 19 Feb MAGAZINESVogue In article on Godparents, 11 JanVogue Review, MarchGQ Review, MarchGlamour Review, MarchTatler Review, MarchVanity Fair Review, MarchSainsbury's magazine Review, MarchConde Nast Traveller Review, MarchCountry Homes Review (date tbc)Management Today Review, FebruaryThe Lady Interview March issueWoman's Own Review & 10 copygiveawayPrivate Eye literary review diary story 22 FebPN Tim Manderson recommendationThe Hill magazine Review Godchildren cont:-PRESSYOU magazine First author article 17 FebDaily Telegraph Author article (18 Feb)Evening Standard Author article (date tbc)The Times 1st Interview 22 FebSunday Times Magazine 'Best of Times, Worst of Times' 24 FebSunday Times Style Author article 10 FebThe Times 'Play' Review (23 Feb)Daily Telegraph Review (date tbc)Sunday Telegraph Review (17 Feb)Daily Mail Review (15 Feb)Mail on Sunday Review (date tbc)The Express Review (date tbc)The Mirror Review 15 FebEvening Standard review(11/2)Observer 'Loafer's Guide' (17 Feb)The Scotsman Review (16 Feb)Banbury G

UK Kirkus review

Coleridge's latest epic paints an enormous picture, covering almost 40 years in the lives of six young people united in one common bond only: they all have the same godfather. We first meet them in 1966 when they are 12 years old, collectively summoned by Marcus Brand, one of the world's richest men, to his villa in Nice for a holiday. From here the story largely proceeds in a series of tableaux, each one a meeting set up by the mysterious Brand in a succession of luxurious venues around the world. Coleridge clearly enjoys all the ostentatious trimmings of the sybaritic life, and writes about them with loving relish. The egregious billionaire at the centre of things is perhaps a composite of such fallen idols as Armand Hammer, James Goldsmith and Robert Maxwell, and manipulates his young charges with an unerring and deadly skill that is a joy to read: following the slow but inevitable downfall of some of his more dysfunctional godchildren is one of the novel's chief attractions. The nastiest of them, an unprincipled little villain of Scottish ancestry, is overtaken by his own particular nemesis in a thoroughly satisfying manner, even if it does take more than 500 pages to come about. It all adds up to endless fun, in the great storytelling tradition of Howard Spring and Harold Robbins. (Kirkus UK)