The Art of Losing

An exceptionally mature and tautly written first novel reminiscent of Josephine Hart's Damage. A young woman arrives in Oxford intent on getting close to one particular family - the father of which, Nicholas, she believes was responsible for her mother's death. Using his son Adam's interest and desire for her she manages to become a guest at the family home. Gradually we begin to learn of the passionate affair her mother and Nicholas had many years before, as well as its devastating outcome.