It's the 1950s, and every day the whole of Britain tunes into its favorite BBC Radio serial, The Parkers. A young man at a loose end finds himself drawn into the world of the program makers. They all make claims on him--claims that will pursue him down the years into late middle age. Resonant with the intrigue of soap opera, this is a journey through an England long-since disappeared.

"An achievement by a writer completely master of his technique, and I strongly recommend it." - C. P. Snow, "Sunday Times"
"Voluptuously readable . . . an impressive piece of work." - "New Statesman"
" R]are, and indeed astonishing . . . exercise s] a continuous fascination." - Lionel Hale, "The Observer"
"Mr. King has something to say in this novel, and he knows how to say it." - John Betjeman, "Daily Telegraph"
In Florence on business, Max Westfield has brought his wife and children with him to make a holiday of it. But while shrewdly perceptive in financial matters, Max...

'A disturbing, dark novel and an auspicious debut.' - Brian Moore
'The obsessive love of one brother for another makes absorbing reading. The picture of the selfish cold father is very convincing, I found the unwitting betrayal of the father by the despised son most moving. There are fine descriptions throughout.' - James Purdy
'Extraordinarily tightly plotted, well - and in places, brilliantly - written, and concerned with issues of major human importance.' - "British Book News"
'A real talent for describing places, and an admirable restraint which gives his writing tautness....