The Edge of the Fall - Couverture souple

The Edge of the Fall is the sequel to Kate Williams’s hit novel The Storms of War and the second book in a groundbreaking, epic trilogy that tells the story of the de Witt family between 1914 and 1939: ideal for fans of Downton Abbey, The Rules of Civility, Somewhere in France, Atonement and The Paris Wife

An utterly spellbinding novel of the 1920s in London and Paris, The Edge of the Fall is bestselling author Kate Williams’s follow-up to her beloved and universally praised novel The Storms of War: the second volume in an epic, cinematic historical saga that follows the de Witt family through the drama and tumult of the post–World War I world.

In the aftermath of the Great War, the de Witt family are struggling to piece together the shattered fragments of their lives. Rudolf and his wife, Verena, still reeling from the loss of their second son, don’t know how to function in the post-war world. Stoneythorpe Hall has become an empty shell with no servants to ensure its upkeep. The de Witt children have changed too: Eldest son Arthur has returned, but a shroud of mystery surrounds his wartime business dealings in Europe. Socialite-turned-socialist Emmeline is passionate about carving out a new niche for herself in life, one that comes with its own dangers. And idealistic, adventurous Celia, the heart of the family and the de Witt’s youngest daughter, is still desperate to spread her wings and see more of the world. To escape Stoneythorpe and the painful secrets that lie there, she moves to London and embraces life and love in the Roaring Twenties.

At once romantic and real, sweeping and sensitive, The Edge of the Fall is brimming with intrigue and emotion, balancing the glamour of the era with the gritty reality of life in a world changed forever by war. It is a glorious feat of storytelling and a must-read for those who loved The Storms of War and fans of historical fiction everywhere, from the brilliant young story teller recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as among the “queens of contemporary fiction.”

a Downton Abbey-style drama about a grand family down on their luck in the Roaring Twenties. (GOOD HOUSEKEEPING)

Williams has a sharp eye for the contradictions and mysteries of human nature and a vivid turn of phrase . . . she uses her historian's knowledge to brilliant effect' (DAILY MAIL)

Williams draws expertly on mysterious, fawed characters coming of age in a displaced world in this gripping period novel . . . A haunting piece of historical fiction (THE LADY)

TV historian Williams revisits the De Witts, the Anglo-German family introduced in her previous saga The Storms of War. Her insight into the aftermath of the First World War and shattered society shines out of every page, enriching a powerful family saga. (SUNDAY MIRROR)

Gripping from the first page, I absolutely love this novel... It's a must-read. (GRAZIA)

An epic, romantic read set in the roaring '20s. (FABULOUS)

The de Witt family's struggles are a compelling, vibrant and poignant fictional reflection of living history and if the next chapter of their story unfolds with the same emotional power and extraordinary resonance, then we are in for another treat. (LANCASHIRE EVENING POST)

Williams has created a resonant evocation of life in the aftermath of the First World War in which the shadows of the conflict loom large, but also explores the psychological and emotional worlds of the individual. (IRISH EXAMINER)

This novel is rich in sumptuous detail and full of twists and turns. (Isabelle Broom HEAT)

Told in two distinct time frames - mid-20th century and Maude's contrasting experiences of the 1890s and early
1900s - and full of colour, detail, tension and adventure, it's a compelling read.

(CHOICE)