Cousin Rosamund unfolds the final chapters of the saga that began with
The Fountain Overflows, Rebecca West's acknowleged masterpiece, and
continued with This Real Night.
As the glitter of the 1920s gives way to the Depression, Rose and Mary
find themselves feted and successful pianists. But their happiness is
diminished by their cousin's unfathomable marriage to a man they
perceive as grotesque.
Lacking her cousin Rosamund's intuitive understanding, Rose looks to the
surrogate wisdom of Mr Morpurgo, while quiet days with Aunt Lily and the
Darcys at their pub on the Thames offer respite from the tensions of
foreign concert tours.
With approaching middle age Rose gains in perspective. Yet the most
exciting development still awaits her: the discovery of and delight in
her own sexuality.