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This Real Night

A family's struggle amid the shadows of war and art

Rebecca West author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group

Published:31st Dec '87

Should be back in stock very soon

This Real Night cover

Set in the early 1900s, This Real Night follows the Aubrey family as they navigate personal crises amid the approaching First World War.

In This Real Night, the complexities of artistic ambition and its inherent limitations are explored against the backdrop of an impending global conflict. The narrative follows the Aubrey family, who are grappling with personal crises amidst the societal upheaval of the early 1900s. As they confront the dualities of light and darkness, good and evil, the characters are forced to navigate their own struggles while the world around them changes dramatically.

Clare Aubrey, now managing the family finances after her husband Piers' disappearance, takes on a more decisive role. Her daughters, Rose and Mary, are immersed in their musical studies, striving for excellence, while Cordelia, the confident sibling, embraces her new position as an art dealer's assistant. Each character's journey reflects the broader themes of growth and resilience, as they face the realities of love, loss, and the choices that shape their futures.

As the narrative unfolds, the looming shadow of the First World War serves as a poignant backdrop, heightening the stakes for the Aubrey family. The evolution of the characters, intertwined with the historical context, invites readers to reflect on the nature of artistic endeavor and the human spirit's capacity to endure. This Real Night is a rich exploration of family dynamics and personal ambition, set against a world on the brink of change.

A lastingly important English writer * Marghanita Laski *
To finish the book is to suffer a bereavement * MAIL on Sunday *

ISBN: 9780860686699

Dimensions: 196mm x 126mm x 22mm

Weight: 190g

272 pages