CAPTAINS & KINGS-JOHNSTON

Living in the old house, surrounded only by ghosts of his past, Mr Prendergast seemed himself to be a relic of another, more gracious age. Then Diarmid s arrival signals an end to the measured tedium of his days. The growing friendship between the man and the boy is viewed with more than suspicion by both Diarmid s parents and by Mr Prendergast s righteous neighbours.The thin veneer of civilisation is about to crack... Formidably well done... completely convincing... Extraordinary! GUARDIAN Assured and skilful. SUNDAY TIMES A memorable first novel. SUNDAY EXPRESS Touching, funny... the best first novel I ve read in years. KINGSLEY AMIS