Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley

Gently but profoundly undone at the seams

Tessa Hadley's new novel, Late in the Day, is a deliciously nuanced tale about a group of friends whose lives begin to unravel when one of them suddenly collapses and dies at work. So begins a collective grieving process that opens old wounds and exposes past betrayal.

Hadley's group of friends are ordinary, in an urbane literary kind of way; where other characters's might explode with rage Hadley's come gently but profoundly undone at the seams thanks to subtle yet powerful prose. 

Yes this is another novel about art dealers, music teachers and Schubert but Hadley finds a way to keep the characters fresh and relatable. The trip to the Venice Biennale may be a step too far for some but this is worth forgiving as you become absorbed in the story. Johanna Thomas-Corr, writing in The Guardian, went as far as to call the novel a 'Hampstead version of the Cherry Orchard' but for me Late in the Day is a British novel.

Beautifully written with intelligent poise and restraint. 4

Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley published by Jonathon Cope 288 pages