Beryl Bainbridge's gift for deadpan dialogue and spare narrative, and her darkly comic vision of the world, are all in evidence in this early novel.
In a remote cottage in Wales two urban couples are spending their holiday with the idealistic owner and his protege. The beginning is idyllic but catastrophe lurks behind every tree.
... party? “Well, yes. Because you did promise, darling.” The pledge should certainly be redeemed. But they'd be back long ... another hour,” he had said, and at these words one could almost see Gertie pricking up her ears, and whisking her ...
Another Part of the Wood: A Self Portrait
Kenneth Clark's first volume of autobiography.