Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Cat & Fiddle

a novel

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Cat & Fiddle centres on two families whose lives become entwined at the country estate of Bourne Abbey. While Dr Choudhury is busy advising Henry Bourne on the restoration of the abbey to its former glory, his wife's main concern is marrying off their three children, whose chances of good matches are dwindling by the day. Thankfully, the royal family always seems to have a solution to her problems: how to find a wife for a reluctant son; how to manage a difficult father-in-law; and, of course, how not to deal with an inter-faith relationship.

Then there's the Bourne family. Henry's wife, Thea, is feeling lost, now that she's got the lifestyle she's always longed for. His elder brother, Richard, a successful London barrister, finds himself increasingly drawn to the family home — the inheritance that he's given up. Meanwhile, Henry just wants to keep the peace, but that's proving to be tricky ...

And, finally, there's Bourne Abbey itself: the repository of an ancient mystery that links the histories and cultures of the Bournes and the Choudhurys in a way that no one could have anticipated.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Books+Publishing

      December 13, 2012

      Cat and Fiddle, winner of the 2011 CAL Scribe Fiction Prize for an unpublished manuscript, follows the scandals and fortunes of two connected families in rural Wiltshire. The Anglo-Bangladeshi Choudhurys provide colour and warmth as the mother tries to marry off her brood of three: Tariq, a former jihadist art curator grappling with his sexuality; shunned artist Rohimun with her ruined reputation; and baby Shunduri, the ‘princess’. The establishment Bourne family, together with wealthy Greek wife Thea, are renovating the ancient family estate, and also have their share of hidden skeletons. The characters in Lesley Jørgensen’s debut novel are vivid, albeit slightly caricatured, the dialogue is engaging and the vernacular convincing. This is a big, fat satisfying read, which will appeal to fans of books featuring intricate plots, family webs, rollicking love stories, multiculturalism (particularly with a sub-continental theme) and clashes between tradition and modernity, religion and culture. The depictions of Mrs Begum’s Bengali cooking are tantalising, as are the details of artist Rohimun at work with her oil paints, and the sumptuous descriptions of the Bangladeshi saris. I adored this sprawling, funny novel. This is highly recommended late-summer reading.

      Joanne Shiells is a former retail book buyer and editor

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Loading