Precipice
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3.9 • 67 Ratings
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- £9.99
Publisher Description
Brought to you by Penguin.
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Summer 1914. A world on the brink of catastrophe.
In London, 26-year-old Venetia Stanley – aristocratic, clever, bored, reckless – is having a love affair with the Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith, a man more than twice her age. He writes to her obsessively, sharing the most sensitive matters of state.
As Asquith reluctantly leads the country into war with Germany, a young intelligence officer is assigned to investigate a leak of top secret documents – and suddenly what was a sexual intrigue becomes a matter of national security that will alter the course of political history.
Seamlessly weaving fact and fiction in a way that no writer does better, Precipice is the thrilling new novel from Robert Harris.
‘A riveting tale of politics, war and erotic obsession’ Sunday Times
'Harris writes with a skill and ingenuity that few other novelists can match' Financial Times
©2024 Robert Harris (P)2024 Penguin Audio
Customer Reviews
Terrific narrating
Very evocative of the time. Brilliant narrating by Samuel West. Wouldn’t believe the story if it wasn’t actually true. Very of its time in that strata of society. Would have liked to learn a bit about Venetias experiences as a nurse in WW1,
Superb
But why only four stars?
This has little to do with the author’s skill and empathy; nor can I criticize the choices made with regard to historical accuracy , but for some Asquith’s love for Venetia was obsessive; his outpourings not for the faint hearted. Did she seriously return his love, which was almost entirely selfish, or did she simply manage it?
If some of his letters make you squirm, this is the question you must ask: it gives one a little spine.
Very entertaining
I really liked this book. The fact that the letters at the heart of the story were real is quite extraordinary. Harris weaves a convincing portrait around the characters and the historical context of the war made it compelling for me.