Godchildren

All the godchildren, looking back on that fateful dinner, remembered it in the same way: the vacant wooden throne at the head of the table, the huge array of wine glasses and water glasses that were always a feature of dining at any of Marcus’ houses, the sense of expectation and dread that hung over them like a cloud of mustard gas.

In his magnificent island home overlooking the sea, the great tycoon Marcus Brand plays host to his six godchildren. But soon, secrets will be revealed that dramatically alter the tone of this holiday weekend, and all will have to confront a web of betrayals and lies spanning four decades…

Each from a different background, the godchildren grew up enthralled by their godfather: Charlie, fascinated by Marcus's wealth; Mary, whose life is blighted by tragedy; Jamie, feckless but utterly charming; Saffron, stunningly beautiful but unaware of her power over men; Abigail, insecure and gauche; and Stuart, who is torn between admiration and hatred for his capitalist godfather.

Godchildren is an epic tale; powerful, engrossing, and impossible to put down. With his trademark blend of wicked satire and impeccable writing, Coleridge has created gloriously jaw dropping portrait of the British upper crust.

All the godchildren, looking back on that fateful dinner, remembered it in the same way: the vacant wooden throne at the head of the table, the huge array of wine glasses and water glasses that were always a feature of dining at any of Marcus’ houses, the sense of expectation and dread that hung over them like a cloud of mustard gas.

In his magnificent island home overlooking the sea, the great tycoon Marcus Brand plays host to his six godchildren. But soon, secrets will be revealed that dramatically alter the tone of this holiday weekend, and all will have to confront a web of betrayals and lies spanning four decades…

Each from a different background, the godchildren grew up enthralled by their godfather: Charlie, fascinated by Marcus's wealth; Mary, whose life is blighted by tragedy; Jamie, feckless but utterly charming; Saffron, stunningly beautiful but unaware of her power over men; Abigail, insecure and gauche; and Stuart, who is torn between admiration and hatred for his capitalist godfather.

Godchildren is an epic tale; powerful, engrossing, and impossible to put down. With his trademark blend of wicked satire and impeccable writing, Coleridge has created gloriously jaw dropping portrait of the British upper crust.

Publishers Weekly

In this sweeping drama, Coleridge (A Much Married Man) zeroes in on a charismatic tycoon whose desires and drive know no bounds. As a godfather of six, wealthy and domineering Marcus Brand is largely absent, except for his occasional invitations to visit him at his enchanting island getaway. What develops is a confounding routine; at unexpected intervals, Brand summons his godchildren, only to wreak havoc on their lives and complicate their already conflicted opinions of him. The kids include arrogant and selfish Charlie, enthralled with Brand's billions; lovable but drifting Jamie, out to score with his godfather's girlfriends; beautiful Saffron, intermittently enamored with and indifferent to Brand's romantic attentions; sweet Mary, yearning for Charlie's affection; Stuart, plagued by his father's role in the death of Marcus's wife; and overweight, self-conscious Abigail, mesmerized but largely ignored by Brand. Told through the godchildren's eyes over the course of three decades, Brand's illicit passions and activities come to startling life, as well as the extraordinary impact he has on his charges, despite the paucity of their interactions. Coleridge's latest family epic will hold readers spellbound. (Sept.)

Nicholas Coleridge is managing director of Condé Nast in Britain, the magazine publishing house that includes Vogue, Tatler, House & Garden and Vanity Fair. His bestselling novels have been published in twelve languages. He lives in England with his family.