A New York Times bestseller and longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. 59-year-old patriarch Winn Van Meter is heading for his family's retreat on the pristine New England island of Waskeke. Normally a haven of calm, for the next three days this sanctuary will be overrun with relatives and friends as Winn prepares to marry off his daughter Daphne to Greyson Duff.Winn has never really understood his daughters. Daphne is pleased to be settling down with a fine match, even though she's heavily pregnant at her own wedding. Her sister Livia has foolishly allowed her heart to be broken by Teddy Fenn, the son of her father's oldest social rival.Winn's wife Biddy has arranged the wedding with military precision. Winn loves her, but is this is enough? His unrequited yearning for Daphne's lissom bridesmaid, Agatha, comes to boiling point as she taunts him at every turn, prompting him to ask questions about his life:Did he marry the right woman? Did he make the most of his youth? And most importantly, why is he still being refused entry to the Pequod Club?In silky, sensual prose, Maggie Shipstead lays bare the pretensions of a New England society with a wit and sophistication that heralds the dbut of an exciting new literary voice.

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The New York Times bestselling author of Great Circle'Joyously good' DAILY MAIL'A ferociously clever comedy of manners' GUARDIAN'A wise, sophisticated and funny novel about family, fidelity, class and crisis' MARIE CLAIRE'A well-observed, hilarious, yet moving novel' WOMAN & HOMENew York Times bestseller and winner of the 2012 Dylan Thomas Prize and 2012 L.A. Times First Novel PrizeThe Van Meters have gathered at their family retreat on the New England island of Waskeke to celebrate the marriage of daughter Daphne to an impeccably appropriate young man. The weekend is full of lobster and champagne, salt air and practiced bonhomie, but long-buried discontent and simmering lust seep through the cracks in the revelry.Winn Van Meter, father-of-the-bride, has spent his life following the rules of the east coast upper crust, but now, just shy of his sixtieth birthday, he must finally confront his failings, his desires, and his own humanity...'Maggie Shipstead is a hugely talented young writer - definitely one to watch' GRAZIA'Distinctive and dazzling ... The world has found a remarkable, humane new voice to explain us to ourselves' Allison Pearson