Jonathan Coe has long been one of the most interesting authors of modern Britain. He masterfully does what few others can do - lovingly planting ideas and feelings into the soil of a surprisingly fertile plot.

Michael, a very lonely and not very successful writer, is offered to write a chronicle of one of the most respectable families in Britain, whose members are entirely the pillars of society. Michael agrees, intrigued not so much by the impressive reward as by the Winshaw family itself, which has launched its tentacles into literally all areas. Along the way, Michael is trying to find out what made the crazy Tabitha Winshaw turn to him and bring to light the whole truth about her greedy relatives. The ending turns out to be so unexpected and natural, so bloody and funny that you don’t know whether to admire, laugh or be horrified. Coe's historical canvas turns into a detective game, in which every detail and every line is sure to come back to haunt the finale. The translation is published in a new edition.