Reviews

The heady tale of a long hot summer in a crumbling stately home, Lyntons, as two experts catalogue and compile the estate for the new American owner.

Set not long after the end of the second world war, the luscious lyrical writing transports the reader to a unique time and place. Everything is about to change.

As the stories of the four vividly drawn characters unfold – Peter, Cara, Reverend Vincent Wylde and narrator Miss Frances Jellico – the hedonistic abandon turns into something darker.

A bridge provides a metaphor for Frances’ journey. Excited that it may be Palladian, she is initially disappointed, but as the decadent summer progresses, normal judgement becomes clouded and Frances dares to believe again.

As Vincent, after supplying the eyes for enucleated peacock wallpaper, warns Frances, “I don’t think Lyntons is good for you...”

Beautifully written, there is a subtle twist that I won’t reveal.

The wonderful thing about loving “Bitter Orange”, the first Clare Fuller book I had the pleasure to read, is the anticipation of getting my hands on the others “Swimming Lessons” and “Our Endless Numbered Days”, confident that I am in safe hands.

Glorious prose and totally immersive. I felt the hot sun, the cool lake water, the silk robes. I tasted the fine wine and cigarettes and bitter, bitter orange.