Godchildren

Very enjoyable. Modern Gothic. About midway through the book, I began to suspect Marcus of being a vampire. His mysterious origins deepened my suspicions. But the author goes no further with the conceit, so it must be my own. Too bad. It would have enriched the book, I think, giving it surprising dimension. The ending contracts rather than expands. Ah, well. It was still enormously enjoyable.

I don't normally read books like "Godchildren", but I'm certainly glad I took a punt on it! What a fun romp through the lives of an interesting cross-section of British society, and what an ingeniusly good plotline this novel has! Marcus Brand is a world famous, self-made billionaire and man of mystery. Nobody knows anything about his background, apart from the fact that he began making very serious money as an industrialist in the early '60's. At that time, he also acted as godfather to six children from very different backgrounds - three boys and three girls. We first become acquainted with them when, at eight years of age, they are invited to holiday together with their godfather at his villa on the French coast. From this first meeting with their astonishingly successful and mysterious godfather, the childrens' lives and Marcus's intertwine, with often tragic results, for the next 32 years. Nicholas Coleridge has crafted this novel very well. Telling the story through the eyes of each godchild as they make their way through life, always battling with the incredible hold their godfather has on them, is surprisingly compelling. This book is a good, old-fashioned page-turner, you won't be able to put it down. Whilst essentially the book is a fun bit of holiday reading fluff, it skewers upper-class English pretensions very well indeed. Charlie Crieff and his venal, grasping wife Miranda, provide the book with a particularly fantastic portrayal of upper-class gits. The presence of Marcus in the godchildrens' lives is nothing short of sinister and unfolds like a sick social experiment. The novel powers along to a shocking, but somewhat pat resolution, but is always a great ride. I was very impressed by how highly readable this book was. It's two thumbs up and four stars from me. I can't wait to read more of Mr Coleridge's work!

I loved this book, and was sad to finish! It's a wonderfully juicy saga about the British upperclass - rich with scandal...

Epic "class society" beach read about the six godchildren of a wealthy tycoon--their lives, loves, and miseries spanning four decades. Part social commentary; Nicholas Coleridge is a keen observer of the British upper and middle classes; see his most recent novel A Much Married Man, which was a bit better than Godchildren. Plenty of intrigue and scandal. Sometimes a little campy-trashy but other times very poignant. Exotic locales also makes it a good escape novel. Hard to put down.

I love this book, it's fab and everyone should read it.i love the charachters and the interatction and the plot I've read it lots of times.