The Slaves Of Solitude Av Patrick Hamilton

<p><b>''All his novels are terrific, but this one is my favourite'' Sarah Waters</b><br><br><br><b>Patrick Hamilton''s novels were the inspiration for Matthew Bourne''s new dance theatre production, <i>The Midnight Bell</i>.</b><br><br>Measuring out the wartime days in a small town on the Thames, Miss Roach is not unattractive but no longer quite young. The Rosamund Tea Rooms boarding house, where she lives with half a dozen others, is as grey and lonely as its residents. For Miss Roach, ''slave of her task-master, solitude'', a shaft of not altogether welcome light is suddenly beamed upon her, with the appearance of a charismatic and emotional American Lieutenant. With him comes change - tipping the precariously balanced society of the house and presenting Miss Roach herself with a dilemma.</p>