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After the Party

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After the Party

By: Cressida Connolly
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of After the Party by Cressida Connolly, read by Kristin Atherton.

'I always wanted to be friends with both my sisters. Perhaps that was the source, really, of all the troubles of my life...'

It is the summer of 1938 and Phyllis Forrester has returned to England after years abroad. Moving into her sister's grand country house, she soon finds herself entangled in a new world of idealistic beliefs and seemingly innocent friendships. Fevered talk of another war infiltrates their small, privileged circle, giving way to a thrilling solution: a great and charismatic leader, who will restore England to its former glory.

At a party hosted by her new friends, Phyllis lets down her guard for a single moment, with devastating consequences. Years later, Phyllis, alone and embittered, recounts the dramatic events which led to her imprisonment and changed the course of her life forever.

'Wonderfully subtle and compelling' Linda Grant

'Uncanny, evocative, atmospheric' Sunday Times

'Connolly is a terrifically subtle writer... [she] slyly sweeps her readers into the period drama as tensions tauten between families and social classes' Daily Telegraph

'Wonderful, tragicomic... beautifully researched' The Times

 Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Political England
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Critic reviews

Profound and moving and completely original, with a storyline that is completely satisfying. It'll be one of those novels that stays in my mind forever... it's a work of art (Craig Brown)
I finished it in two days flat and I've never read anything quite like it. Everything about the book rings true, politically, psychologically, and in period detail, from the sunny beginnings to the grim end (Hilary Spurling)
A wonderfully subtle and interesting account of the Mosley women, with a compelling voice (Linda Grant)
Wonderful, tragicomic... beautifully researched (Kate Saunders)
One of the best books published this year
Uncanny, evocative.... Connolly skilfully sets scenes in pared yet atmospheric prose
Connolly gives an object lesson in how to tell a story in a non-judgmental way. The result is a brave, engrossing and unexpectedly moving novel
Polished and reflective... a salutary masterclass on the values that really matter
This historical novel is an absorbing, nuanced look at extremism dressed up with social niceties and class privilege, and is sure to resonate today
In her latest novel, Cressida Connolly expertly evokes a changing nation, and a woman whose life is altered forever
All stars
Most relevant
SO WELL WRITTEN VERY DISCRIPTIVE BROUGHT THE PAST AS REAL WHEN READING THE BOOK CAPTIVATING IT WAS LIKE I SAW IT THROUGH MY IMAGINATION THAT IS A SIGN OF A GOOD BOOK FOR ME

A MUIST READ

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It’s more than 6 hours of domestic tedium before any interest in the wider context of time and space emerges,
Then only a rather weak emergence as realisation of naive connections lead to serious outcomes.

A very very long introduction

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I’m not sure that Phyllis Forrester truly recognises what led to her incarceration, nor does she repent it.

To be honest I’m not sure I properly understand it either. I’m not familiar with this part of British history which likely has some bearing on that, on the other hand I don’t think any specific knowledge is necessary to enjoy this book.

Phyllis’ story has two perspectives of narration: one, her older self, the second, that of the person she is telling her story to, who has presumably interviewed others & explored the events & history themselves. There are chapters told in first person & others in 3rd person with a broader perspective, as if a written history.

It’s an extraordinary & a very subtle story. In many ways Phyllis is a sideline for the main events, after all, World War II is brewing. But it is Phyllis’ ordinariness that makes her story interesting. Had she been a more influential character she may have been a less sympathetic one.

What I can’t decide is whether Phyllis was truly as naive as her narrative suggests, or whether that’s a pretense to create a more favourable personal history. I suspect she really was naive, but she seems to have overlooked an awful lot.

I like to understand what I’m reading in broader context so I did turn to Wikipedia for additional information on Defence Regulation 18B & on Oswald Mosley, which was enlightening.

I absolutely loved Cressida Connolly’s writing. It’s subtle & gorgeous, well matched to the story with the occasional
& most delightful surprises. Beautiful.

Kristin Atherton was absolutely perfect in her performance at all points. It’s an excellent quality production too.

I picked this up on a whim, knowing nothing about it & not being a usual fan of historical fiction. I highly recommend this for anyone whose interest strays into British history, especially of civilians during WWII, & of right wing politics. I’d also recommend to anyone who just enjoys a quiet, thoroughly enthralling read.

Subtle, Enthralling

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Phyllis Forrester is one of three sisters who have grown up in a world defined by class, money, family and moving in the right social circles. Returning to Britain in the late 1930s with her husband Hugh, after a spell as expatriates, Phyllis and her family are encouraged by one of the sisters, Nina, to become involved in the local activities of the British Union of Fascists.

Initially it all seems harmless fun; but as Phyllis and her family become embroiled in both the workings of the Party and the lives of its County Set members, their seemingly gilded lives take a disastrous turn. As war looms Fascist politics alter the family's lives and prospects forever and Phyllis' relationships with her sisters and children will never be the same.

This was a fantastic, engrossing story with various forms of betrayal and injustice at its very heart and I found it deeply satisfying. I really loved it and the story was made all the better by a terrific narrator who really nailed the portrayal of all the characters. The author included a lot of period detail and social history about fascist politics in early 20th century Britain and I found this fascinating.

A Classy Novel.

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I listened to this book in a day,I was born after W11
and was brought up listening to stories of that time before the war.it was interesting to hear the other side of the story about Mosley.Strongly recommend this book.

Very informative

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