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This novel about an English family out of their depth in the wilds of rural France comes from the acclaimed author of "Ulverton" and "Between Each Breath" and coincides with his new novel, "Hodd" (Cape).
Synopsis
The historians Nick and Sarah Mallinson, take a sabbatical with their three small and lively girls in a remote Languedoc farmhouse. But the farmhouse contains its own histories, far darker and murkier than the Mallinsons are used to dealing with. As the illusion of Eden retreats, the couple begin to feel the vulnerability of being among strangers.
Book Details
Publisher:
VINTAGE
Publication Date:
04-Jun-2009
ISBN:
9780099503651
Observer review
The Standing Pool
Emily Aldred the observer Sat 20 June 2009
When historians Nick and Sarah Mallinson take a six-month sabbatical in Languedoc with their three young daughters, they discover their rented farmhouse was once the scene of a questionable death. As spectators to a community still shellshocked from this tragedy, the Mallinsons find themselves a confidant in handyman Jean Luc. However, as he becomes increasingly voyeuristic and mentally unstable, it begins to seem inevitable that history will repeat itself. Although the book occasionally suffers from overplaying bizarre occurrences, it remains gripping. Above all, The Standing Pool is captivating thanks to its comic glimpses into family life and the touching honesty of children.
