The Kindness - Hardcover

"These intertwined, silken stories deftly expose the heart-sickness behind so many of the burnished surfaces of contemporary life." --John Banville on "Perfect Lives""" "A life-enhancing treat of a book." --Esther Freud, "Telegraph "Books of the Year, on "Perfect Lives""" "This is a masterly book, and it's impossible not to start all over again the minute you finish reading it. More than simply a series of exquisitely crafted miniatures, it encompasses many of the larger delights of a full-length novel." --"Financial Times "on" Perfect Lives" "Astutely observed linked stories reveal the pleasures, temptations, secrets, and disappointments of lovers, parents, and children." --"O, the Oprah Magazine," 10 Titles to Pick Up Now, on "Perfect Lives" "Accomplished stories . . . Samson traces tremors of disruption threatening the stability of her characters' relationships and themselves." --Peter Kemp, "Sunday Times," 2010's Best Reads, on "Perfect Lives"

"A beautifully written and intricately constructed piece of writing; shining, poetic and sumptuous; a portrait of a sunlit lake, which at any moment may reveal itself to be the scene of a tragedy. Polly Samson is a writer of great insight and sensitivity; her novel is moving, wistful, wise, and ultimately hopeful; grown-up in all the right ways, but still with a simplicity that comes directly from the heart." - Joanne Harris, author of "Chocolat "and "Holy Fools"

"Dark, sensual and clever. I loved this book so much, I finished then started re-reading, to see how she did it." - JoJo Moyes, author of "Me Before You "and "One Plus One"

These intertwined, silken stories deftly expose the heart-sickness behind so many of the burnished surfaces of contemporary life

A life-enhancing treat of a book.

Astutely observed linked stories reveal the pleasures, temptations, secrets, and disappointments of lovers, parents, and children.

Accomplished stories ... Samson traces tremors of disruption threatening the stability of her characters' relationships and themselves

It is a beautifully-written and intricately-constructed piece of writing; shining, poetic and sumptuous; a portrait of a sunlit lake, which at any moment may reveal itself to be the scene of a tragedy. Polly Samson is a writer of great insight and sensitivity; her novel is moving, wistful, wise and ultimately hopeful; grown-up in all the right ways, but still with a simplicity that comes directly from the heart.--Joanne Harris

Sumptuous. "The New York Times Book Review"

Samson, creates a moving portrait of a family torn by the stress of a sick child--and a sensuous, lyrical account of a failed marriage. "Publishers Weekly"

With its sensuous prose and blend of romance, disappointment, amazing sex, and exquisite domestic interiors, the novel hovers somewhere between conventional commercial fiction and something rather more ambitious. "Kirkus Reviews"

Beautifully written, filled with warmth and humor, "The Kindness" is a powerful novel exploring the complexities of love and the nature of human relationships. "Booklist"

A haunting story of pleasure, disappointment, and family, one that immerses you into their journey. "BlogCritics.org"

This is elegant, witty writing, informed throughout by generosity and wise perceptiveness. Dealing with many kinds of love, and with misunderstanding, betrayal, grief and forgiveness, the novel dares to posit, ultimately, the possibility of redemption. It is a book to cherish, to recommend, to return to--and not to lend anyone. "Financial Times"

In addition to displaying assured prose, Samson's book is precisely plotted. "The Minneapolis Star Tribune""

Sumptuous. The New York Times Book Review

Samson, creates a moving portrait of a family torn by the stress of a sick child--and a sensuous, lyrical account of a failed marriage. Publishers Weekly

With its sensuous prose and blend of romance, disappointment, amazing sex, and exquisite domestic interiors, the novel hovers somewhere between conventional commercial fiction and something rather more ambitious. Kirkus Reviews

Beautifully written, filled with warmth and humor, The Kindness is a powerful novel exploring the complexities of love and the nature of human relationships. Booklist

A haunting story of pleasure, disappointment, and family, one that immerses you into their journey. BlogCritics.org

This is elegant, witty writing, informed throughout by generosity and wise perceptiveness. Dealing with many kinds of love, and with misunderstanding, betrayal, grief and forgiveness, the novel dares to posit, ultimately, the possibility of redemption. It is a book to cherish, to recommend, to return to--and not to lend anyone. Financial Times

In addition to displaying assured prose, Samson's book is precisely plotted. The Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Haunting . . . A compellingly plotted account of the corrosive power a secret has to destroy the happiest of families." - Daily Mail on BEST BOOKS ABOUT FAMILY SECRETS

"Addictive, cleverly structured and intriguing relationship story of lies and flawed communication." - Summer Book Choice, Sunday Times

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A heartbreakingly beautiful novel from one of Britain's finest and most acclaimed talents