Gerard Woodward’s richly woven novel, set in the 70s. As pressure builds on Colette to help her struggling family, her own weaknesses begin to emerge.

Colette Jones has had drink problems in the past, but now it seems her whole family is turning to alcohol. Her oldest son has thrown away a promising musical career, and his drinking sprees with his brother-in-law Bill have started to land him in trouble with the police. Meanwhile Colette’s recently widowed brother is now on the gin, a bottle a day and counting. Who will be next? When her own husband hits the bottle Colette realises she has to act.

Shortlisted
The Man Booker Prize 2004
Published by
Chatto & Windus
Publication date
Gerard Woodward

Gerard Woodward

About the Author

The title of Gerard Woodward’s 2004 shortlisted novel comes from King Lear: ‘And I'll go to bed at noon’ are the last words spoken by the Fool. This novel, too, is a tale of family dysfunction.
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