Published by Skylight Press, 2013
Set among the mansions and tennis clubs
of Surrey's richest suburb, The Savoy Truffle is a darkly comic drama
that evokes an era when Mod gear was fab, the Shorty Nightie shocking,
the coffee frothy, and a new Beatles' single brought hysteria to the
classroom. The grey post-war years are trembling on the verge of
Technicolour, and the Blyte children are struggling to cope with the
transition in their own idiosyncratic ways: Hugh's novel is held up by
yearning for the Irish au pair; Janey moons over the mystery of men and
the enigmatic Black Mini; George wages savage war on his Enemy; and the
Moo takes refuge in his exclusive Sloppy Club.
A crisis in their parents' lives
brings madness and death, a supernatural visitor and an all-too-real
tiger... The children have to confront - and conquer - the follies of
their elders with wit and invention.
What the writers
and musicians said:
'This
is an unusual book because the voice is so singular. Set in the 1960s,
and following the often-hilarious misfortunes of the lovable Blyte
family, The Savoy Truffle is written in silvery prose that is unique in both
substance and style. Many modern novels have a homogenized feel, but
this novel creates a unique world from an entirely familiar landscape. I
can't think of a book that captures so completely the intimacy of family
life. Though the Blytes may be a little more flamboyant than most, their
peculiar quirks, unwritten rules and closets full of skeletons are
portrayed with an authenticity that is acutely observed. Whilst being
extremely funny, displaying a comic versatility in characterization,
turns of phrase, and situations, the novel also possesses an underlying
tenderness, so that reading it was like visiting the house of someone
I'm very fond of. Written with great flair, I'd recommend this to all
those who love literature.'
Ian Wild, musician and author of
Mrs Shakespeare.
'If
you like the books about the Mitford children (The Pursuit of Love, etc.) or
the Durrells (My Family and Other Animals), you too will gorge
yourself with pleasure on Savoy Truffle, which may or may not be about
the Harpur family.
Patrick Harpur
has perfect pitch for the intonations, the culture, and the neuroses of
middle-class Britain in the early 1960s, and for the impact of Bond and
Beatles, Minis and Mods on the post-war mentality; also for its freedom
from later P.C. values. But you don't have to have lived then to
appreciate the period flavour, any more than you have to have lived in
Jane Austen's time to enjoy hers.
Savoy Truffle is a beautiful, wicked family novel, with the four
children, their minds and their worlds, caught to perfection. Like the
box of chocs on the cover, the book is sheer indulgence and you can
devour the whole thing at a sitting, as I did, without serious
after-effects.'
Professor Joscelyn Godwin, musicologist and
author of The Forbidden Book, The Theosophical Enlightenment, The Pagan
Dream of the Renaissance, The Golden Thread
'The
joyful offspring of a union between The Go-Between and I Capture the
Castle.'
Evan Parker, saxophone maestro and colossus of free
improvisation.
'A very comical family - parents
and four adolescents, highly articulate, fractious and inventive - and
some of their neighbours living among the golf and tennis clubs, grand
mansions and pop stars of a wealthy London suburb in the 1960s, comprise
the disorderly cast. Their ways, words, idioms, trends and things - from
Spam and semolina to the twist, pea-soupers and film star hair styles -
vividly recall the background period. A fugitive Siberian tiger and a
human female corpse play dramatic parts and add teasing suspense to the
rich mix. Patrick Harpur toys with all these characters and their
setting with wizardly wit and deftness. It's a very funny book - and
much more.'
Brendan Lehane, author of Early Celtic
Christianity, Wild Ireland, The Compleat Flea etc.