A story of family life and starcrossed lovers, of money and greed, set against the backdrop of France from 1910 to 1940 between two terrible wars. Pierre and Agnès marry for love against the wishes of his parents and the family patriarch, the tyrannical industrialist Julien Hardelot, provoking a family feud which cascades down the generations. This is Balzac or The Forsyte Saga on a smaller, more intimate scale, the bourgeoisie observed close-up with Némirovsky's characteristically sly humour and clear-eyed compassion. Full of drama and heartbreak, telling observation of the devastating effects of two wars on a small town and an industrial family, this is Némirovsky at the height of her powers.

French collection. This translation originally published: London: Chatto & Windus, 2008. French collection.