A life-affirming story of family and personal self-discovery.

When George, the eldest son of Matthew Silverman, announces he won’t follow in his father’s footsteps as editor of the family-owned local newspaper, the family finds itself on a course for change. The newspaper has been going for nearly 100 years.

With younger brother Alexander and sisters Loraine and Alison growing up fast, too, and gradual progress in the world around them, can Matthew do what’s best for them all?

This beautifully observed story of a loving family navigating generational change retains a timeless appeal today.

Praise for Victor Canning

"His gift of story-telling is obviously innate. Rarely does one come on so satisfying an amalgam of plot, characterisation and good writing." (Punch)

"Quite delightful … with an atmosphere of quiet contentment and humour that cannot fail to charm." (Daily Telegraph)

"A swift-moving novel, joyous, happy and incurably optimistic." (Evening Standard)

"There is such a gentle humour in the book." (Daily Sketch)

"What counts for most in the story … is his mounting pleasure in vagabondage and the English scene." (The Times)

"A paean to the beauties of the English countryside and the lovable oddities of the English character." (New York Times)