
"Ivy Compton-Burnett is one of the most original, artful, and elegant writers of our century." -- Hilary Mantel When Cassius Clare and his first wife divorced, he insisted upon retaining custody of their two sons; he then remarried and fathered three more children. Now...











![The Present and the Past [Unknown] B000S7QQ2Q Book Cover](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MYjjZbvJL._SL500_.jpg)

This novel, first published in 1953, explores the tensions and secrets that simmer beneath the surface of a seemingly normal middle-class family. With razor-sharp dialogue and a biting wit, Compton-Burnett reveals the intricate dynamics of family relationships and the devastating...