Author:Henry James,Ronald Blythe

Making her debut in London society, Nanda Brookenham is being groomed for the marriage market. Thrust suddenly into the superficial and immoral circle that surrounds her mother, the innocent but independent-minded young woman even finds herself in competition with Mrs Brookenham for the affection of the man she admires. Only an elderly bachelor, Mr Longdon, is immune to this world of greed and scheming, and determines to rescue Nanda from its corrupting influences out of loyalty to the deep love he once felt for her grandmother. In The Awkward Age (1899), Henry James explores the English character, and the clash between old and new money with a light and subtly ironic touch to create a devastating critique of society and its machinations.
Linton's rhymes speak for our time
—— VoiceBrilliant . . . the alternative poet-laureate
—— Time OutA warrior wordsmith whose couplets take no prisoners
—— The TimesLet us sing and dance to the expression of the age-old ideals with LKJ
—— Fred D'AguiarWitty, playful, and incorrigibly erudite, Eco clearly had fun writing this book. There is much to enjoy
—— Daily MailAnother great exhilaration from Eco. Eye-poppingly fascinating
—— GuardianPerhaps the most intellectual novelist in Europe today. A highly idiosyncratic by engrossing novel
—— HeraldProfound and moving. A wonderful entertainer
—— ScotsmanEngaging
—— Sunday TimesThe opening is delightful, the sort of stuff that has readers rubbing their hands in anticipation...it is good to see Eco recapture something of his former glories, bouncing ideas of his readers with characteristic zest
—— Sunday TelegraphStimulating
—— Big Issue






