Happily married for thirty years with three children that have long since grown up, Christopher Mainwaring finds himself at a total loss following the death of his beloved wife, Susan. Yet the joyful marriage he remembers may not have been all it seemed, for no one in the family knows of the troubling words his wife uttered to him from her death bed .

Portrait of a Family

The quartet at the heart of this delightful novel are the four Gainsborough siblings: beautiful but vain Lorna, ultra-sensitive Adrian, nature-loving Laurence and thoughtful, strange little Jenifer. We join them in 1900 - four happy children at the heart of a loving family, idolizing their strikingly beautiful mother, shrinking from their emotionally damaged Aunt Lena and ill-tempered governess, Miss Marchant. As their world widens on the journey to adulthood - through the advent of the motor car, the horrors of the First World War, the trials and tribulations of unrequited love and unfulfilled dreams - they must fight to keep that happiness. But with Lorna compelled to make everyone love her, Adrian's artistic genius crippled by over-sensitivity to criticism, and Laurence so intent on success in business that he forgets to really live, will Jenifer's clear-sighted pragmatism be enough to save them?A beautiful exploration of love and family, Quartet has a vivid cast of characters worthy of Elizabeth Gaskell and paints a wonderful, affectionate portrait of childhood to rival Richmal Crompton's Just William.

Quartet

William Brown is back in this 100th anniversary edition of More William, featuring fourteen funny, classic Just William adventures by Richmal Crompton - updated for a new generation of readers. This edition featurres timeless original artwork from Thomas Henry, and an introduction by Martin Jarvis.'William is as fresh and funny as ever' - Chris Riddell'Gloriously funny' - Sue Townsend, author of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable ball of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922. William Brown and the Outlaws are up to their old tricks with more hilarious mischief, mayhem and muddles. When Aunt Lucy says that 'a busy day is a happy day', William does his best to keep himself very busy indeed. Unfortunately, not everyone appreciates his efforts. Including fourteen fantastic stories, More William is as funny as ever. This delightful children's classic features the original inside illustrations by Thomas Henry. Enjoy more of William's adventures in Just William, William Again, William the Outlaw and William at Christmas.

More William

I don't think that people are people to her any longer. They're just mirrors. If she can see the right picture of herself in them, she likes them. If she can't, she dislikes them. Stella Markham is the apple of her aunt's eye: gentle, kind, beautiful and accomplished - the model of a perfect child. Her guardians love her and her playmates worship her. Sensitive and thoughtful, she is the very image of nineteenth century loveliness - that is, until things don't go her way. From Richmal Crompton, the bestselling author of the Just William stories, Narcissa follows Stella from childhood through courtship and motherhood, detailing the triumphs and tragedies of a woman who is willing to do anything to maintain the image of her own perfection, sacrificing those she loves to her own vanity.

Narcissa

Everyone's favourite troublemaker is causing trouble all year round in this charming, festive anniversary edition of William at Christmas, with nine classic stories by Richmal Crompton - updated for a new generation of readers. Featuring Thomas Henry's original illustrations and an introduction by Julia Donaldson.'William is as fresh and funny as ever' - Chris Riddell, author and illustrator.'Gloriously funny' - Sue Townsend, author of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable imp has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting readers since 1922. It's the holiday season and William Brown has lots to do. Not only does he need to find the hidden Christmas presents and get ready for the local pantomime, but he also has to put up with prim and proper aunts. Joined by his gang of ever faithful Outlaws, he's sure to make Christmas unforgettable and attract trouble wherever he goes. Enjoy more of William's adventures in Just William, More William, William Again and William the Outlaw.

William at Christmas

It is the summer of 1892 and fifteen-year-old Tilly Pound has come to Linden Rise - the holiday cottage of the genteel but dysfunctional Culverton family - to work as a housemaid. She starts as just another member of 'the help' but, as the years pass and the 19th century judders its unwieldy way into the 20th, this tough and resourceful young woman becomes an anchor in a fragmenting world. Mr and Mrs Culverton are trapped in a loveless marriage, rocked by his obvious infidelities and marked by her helplessness and fragility. Their children are raising themselves until Tilly arrives, and it remains to be seen whether her lively good sense can change their lives for the better .

Linden Rise

Everyone's favourite troublemaker is back in Richmal Crompton's William the Bad - with a fun and contemporary cover illustrated by Chris Garbutt and an introduction by writer Anne Fine. William doesn't understand why he's not invited to Robert and Ethel's fancy-dress party - what could possibly go wrong? Desperate for an invite, his search for the perfect costume causes mayhem. Somehow nothing ever goes to plan when William the Bad is around!There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his admirers since 1922. Enjoy more of William's adventures in William's Happy Days and William Again.

William the Bad

Felicity - Stands By is a delightful, charming set of short stories by Richmal Crompton, following the adventures (and misadventures) of a young woman, Miss Norma Felicity Montague Harborough. Having finished school, Felicity returns to the family seat to live with her grandfather Sir Digby, sufferer of the infamous Harborough gout and the Harborough temper. Always well-meaning and often hapless, Felicity sets about to organize and matchmaker those around her: including rescuing her friend Sheila from the affections (and affectations) of local poet Marmaduke Eltham; joining travelling band 'The Oranges'; and saving some rather important political papers from the clutches of a thief. Her escapades are a series of witty, warm and entertaining vignettes, sure to enchant anyone who loved the bestselling Just William series.

Felicity - Stands By

Everyone's favourite troublemaker is back and up to no good!William is always in trouble, but sometimes it really isn't his fault. It was Ginger who showed him the book about Robin Hood, and it was Violet Elizabeth Bott's idea to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Unfortunately the only rich person they know is Violet's father, so William's latest plan to right the world's wrongs is sure to lead to catastrophe .

Portrait of a Family

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