The kindness : a novel
(Book)

"It's August 1997 and Julian is lost in a medicated haze of grief. His partner, Julia, has removed all traces of herself from Firdaws, their beautiful riverside home, while all that remains of their three-year-old daughter is a single shoe. Unable to work, Julian succumbs to memories: of Julia, of their daughter's illness, and of his childhood at Firdaws. As the summer days grow hotter, jealousy taunts him and temptation beckons. The Kindness is a tale of passion and betrayal; of paradise lost and regained, with Julian and Julia cast out in separate, unforeseeable ways. As Polly Samson's intricate plot gives up its painful secrets, this love story is rearranged and remade -- and everything must be reconsidered. The result is an unforgettable story, beautifully told" -- from book jacket.