The Past – Tessa Hadley

The Past - Tessa Hadley
The Past – Tessa Hadley

The Present: Four siblings, plus children, partners and plus ones, meet in the former family home-cum-holiday home for a summer holiday and to decide what to do with the house.

The Past: Their mother returns to her parents, bringing her three children with her in an attempt to leave her husband.

Nothing happens, and everything happens.

 

Publisher page: The Past – Tessa Hadley

Late in the Day – Tessa Hadley

Late in the Day - Tessa Hadley
Late in the Day – Tessa Hadley

Two girls meet two older guys and form two couples. When we first meet Christine and Alex, Lydia and Zachary they are in their 50s, four friends forming two long married couples.

Over the course of seven chapters we are given glimpses into their earlier lives, returning to the present day to watch as those friendships and marriages end.

I’m reminded of Anita Brookner‘s London novels.

Publisher page: Late in the Day – Tessa Hadley