Paris in the 1890s. Adam Gould, whose Anglo-Irish father has disowned him, works in a lunatic asylum run by the celebrated Dr Blanche, some of whose patients once starred in France's social firmament and still, when sane, sit at table with distinguished guests. One such patient is Guy de Maupassant. Another is Belcastel, who has taken the blame for a monarchist plot against the Third Republic, then feigned insanity. Madness and uncertain identity drive Adam's story, fuelled by Maupassant's sparkling insights on the matter. Gould falls in love with a married connection of Belcastel's. And things are made no simpler on his return home, when he becomes entangled with a cousin who looks hauntingly like his dead mother. A writer of stunning quality, a novelist of irony and compassion.' The Daily Telegraph Splendidly readable.' William Trevor '...a highly original work of fiction, urbane, elegant and full of esprit.' Patricia Craig Independent '...a remarkable work, written in a style of steely distinction.' Francis King Literary Review '... a vivid and absorbing story, fast-paced and confident of its strong historical flavourings.' Eve Patten Irish Times 'The novel is witty and thoutghtful...' Times Literary Supplement