The Past Av Tessa Hadley

<p><b>Rivalry, unruly desire and ugly secrets poison a family holiday in this gripping novel from the <i>Sunday Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Free Love </i>and <i>Late in the Day.</i></b><br><br><b>''Few writers give me such consistent pleasure'' Zadie Smith</b><br><br>Four siblings meet up in their grandparents'' old house for three long, hot summer weeks. But under the idyllic surface lie shattering tensions.<br><br>Roland has come with his new wife, and his sisters don''t like her. Fran has brought her children, who soon uncover an ugly secret in a ruined cottage in the woods. Alice has invited Kasim, an outsider, who makes plans to seduce Roland''s teenage daughter. And Harriet, the eldest, finds her quiet self-possession ripped apart when passion erupts unexpectedly. <br><br>Over the course of the holiday, a familiar way of life falls apart forever.<br><br><b>''Exquisite'' <i>The Times</i></b><br><br><b>''Wonderful'' <i>Guardian</i></b><br><br><b>''Magnificent'' <i>Sunday Tim