Philip Hensher

‘A brilliantly conceived and audacious novel from one of our most consistently intelligent and beguiling writers’ William Boyd ‘Surefooted and emotionally generous … A serious achievement’ Guardian ‘Masterful’ Telegraph ‘A revelation’ Spectator The new novel from the Booker shortlisted author of The Northern Clemency An order is issued. A population may not meet, or touch or speak to each other....

Political intrigue, sexual chicanery, disappointment, betrayal combine with dazzling effect (Jane Shilling, The Sunday Telegraph) in this scandalous novel that exposed the secrets of Margaret Thatcher’s government. As a senior clerk in the House of Commons, John is a man of gravitas, a well-respected widower with two grown-up daughters, who upholds establishmentarian codes of morality and decency. What his colleagues...

‘A brilliantly conceived and audacious novel from one of our most consistently intelligent and beguiling writers’ — William Boyd ‘Surefooted and emotionally generous … A serious achievement’ — Guardian ‘Masterful’ — Telegraph ‘A revelation’ — Spectator The new novel from the Booker shortlisted author of The Northern Clemency An order is issued. A population may not meet, or touch, or...