''An exquisitely wrought and utterly absorbing meditation upon life, loss and love'' Ian McEwan

Winner of the European Union Prize for Literature

''Original and captivating . . . its quiet charm in straightforward prose belies its sharp insight into the human condition'' Stylist

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I''ve known Death a long time but now Death knows me.

When their idyllic childhood is shattered by the sudden death of their parents, siblings Marty, Liz and Jules are sent to a bleak state boarding school. Once there, the orphans'' lives change tracks: Marty throws himself into academic life; Liz is drawn to dark forms of escapism; and Jules transforms from a vivacious child to a withdrawn teenager.

The only one who can bring him out of his shell is his mysterious classmate Alva, who hides a dark past of her own, but despite their obvious love for one another, the two leave school on separate paths.

Years later, just as it seems that they can make amends for time wasted, the past catches up with them, and fate - or chance - will once again alter the course of a life.

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''It is impossible to look away from it'' Guardian

''Beautifully rendered: moving and wise, occasionally timeless . . . when Wells most needs to be sophisticated, he is'' Irish Times

''Dazzling'' John Irving