Charles Webb Libri

Benjamin, frisch aus der High School kommend, beginnt eine Affäre mit Mrs. Robinson, verliebt sich dann aber in deren Tochter Elaine.

As a discerning reader of nineteenth-century American fiction, Englishman Colin Ware is familiar with the tradition of transcending disastrous love affairs by booking the next ocean liner to Europe. Now that he has experienced the pain and humiliation of heartache firsthand, he decides to try this cure in reverse.New Cardiff, Vermont, may be an infinitesimal blot on the rural American landscape, but to Colin it's the ideal place to mend his broken heart. The townsfolk are a quirky, endearing lot, and they welcome the migrating artist into their fold. Colin does his part by capturing his adopted countrymen and women in charcoal and ink. He even discovers love again -- with Mandy, an attendant at the Shining Shores nursing home. When Colin's ex arrives to woo him back to her and his native land, he has to choose between his new love and the woman he's known for years.With its pitch-perfect dialogue, New Cardiff takes readers on the exhilarating cross-cultural odyssey of a man hurtling headlong into life.

Set against the backdrop of the sweltering summer of 1911, the story follows stockbroker George Chesshyre as he seeks a peaceful family life in south London. However, his aspirations are continually disrupted by eccentric relatives, unexpected animals, and financial woes. The relentless heat exacerbates his struggles, as he commutes daily on the 'Slow Train to Suburbia.' As the seasons change, a cast of vibrant characters brings both humor and sorrow, leading to a chaotic and memorable Christmas Day that caps off a tumultuous year.

The story features Celandine, who experiences a profound connection with the spiritual realm, claiming to hear voices from heaven. Set against the backdrop of windswept Kensington Gore, the narrative explores themes of communication with the divine and the emotional bond between Celandine and Vicky. Their relationship is central to the unfolding mystery and emotional depth of the plot.

Der Londoner Künstler Colin ist kurz davor, zu heiraten, da erhält er eine Einladung: Seine Verlobte Vera kündigt ihre Hochzeit mit einem anderen an. Hals über Kopf reist Colin nach Amerika, um wieder zu sich zu finden.