The Villa in Italy - Hardcover

Edmondson, Elizabeth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007228058 ISBN 13: 9780007228058

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2006

Synopsis

Marvellously atmospheric tale of strangers summoned to a grand but neglected villa on the Italian coast. Each of them has been named in a will, but nobody knows their benefactress...

Four very different people are named in a will. Delia, an opera singer robbed of her voice by illness; George, an idealistic scientist who cannot face what his skills have created; Marjorie, desperately poor and unable to dislodge her writer’s block; and Lucius, ostensibly in control but whose personal life is in chaos. All are summoned to the Villa Dante, home of the late Beatrice Malaspina. But who was she?

While they wait to find out, the villa begins to work its seductive magic. With its faded frescoes, overgrown garden and magnificent mediaeval tower, it is unlike anywhere they have been before. Slowly, four characters who have gone to great lengths to hide their troubles find that change – and even hope – is possible after all. But the mysterious Beatrice has a devastating secret to reveal that will affect them all...

A beautiful evocation of Italy in the aftermath of World War Two, the personal consequences of living through such a time, and a celebration of humankind’s ability to heal and learn to love again, this most absorbing novel will win Elizabeth Edmondson a host of new fans.

About this title

Review:

Praise for Voyage of Innocence:
‘I loved it’ Woman

‘A very interesting book, not only because it gives a flavour of life in the thirties...it’s a way of imbibing history’ Oxford Times

‘Well written and superbly researched...a thoroughly enjoyable read. A must.’ Yours

Praise for The Frozen Lake:
‘Charming’ Bookseller

‘Dark family secrets, long buried,if not forgotten, bubble to the surface. A novel that is vivid and engrossing.’ Choice

‘An intriguing read’ Woman

About the Author:

Elizabeth Edmondson was born in Chile and educated in Calcutta and London before going to Oxford University. Her novels include The Villa in Italy, The Villa on the Riviera, Voyage of Innocence and The Frozen Lake, which have been translated into several languages.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0007228058
• ISBN 13: 9780007228058
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 432