The Infamous Gilberts - by Angela Tomaski (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Remains of the Day meets The Royal Tenenbaums in this darkly funny debut novel about a wealthy, eccentric family in decline and the secrets held within the walls of their crumbling country manor.

Thornwalk, a once-stately English manor, is on the brink of transformation. Its keys are being handed over to a luxury hotelier who will undertake a complete renovation--but in doing so, what will they erase? Through the keen eyes of an enigmatic neighbor, the reader is taken on a guided tour into rooms filled with secrets and memories, each revealing the story of the five Gilbert siblings.

Spanning the eve of World War II to the early 2000s, this contemporary gothic novel weaves a rich tapestry of English country life. As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn into a world where the echoes of an Edwardian idyll clash with the harsh realities of war, neglect, and changing times. The Gilberts' tale is one of great loves, lofty ambitions, and profound loss, and Angela Tomaski's mordantly witty yet loving account is an immersive experience. Reminiscent of the haunting atmospheres in Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle, The Infamous Gilberts offers a fresh take on a classic genre, capturing the essence of a troubled but fascinating family.

Review Quotes

"Hilarious at times, heartbreaking at others." --Booklist

"If Shirley Jackson moved The Addams Family to the English countryside, something like this dark, tongue-in-cheek epic might result... This distinctive debut introduces a wickedly weird new talent." --Kirkus Reviews

"Tomaski debuts with a fresh story of an eccentric English family [and] imbues the narrative with pathos and wit... readers will find much to enjoy." --Publishers Weekly

"How do legendary families fall to ruin? The narrator of this ingenious debut grabs us by the hand and guides us through a crumbling Gothic estate to share the tragic fates of five siblings. The Infamous Gilberts intertwines humor, heartbreak, and mystery in a story about the choices that shape--and shatter--the lives we inherit and build. It kept me laughing, gasping, and guessing from beginning to end." --Heather Aimee O'Neill, author of The Irish Goodbye

"A family saga like no other: gloriously offbeat, darkly comedic, and totally bewitching. A bravura performance." --Sarah Winman, author of Still Life

"Eccentric and deliciously addictive, The Infamous Gilberts is a gorgeous portrayal... moments of heartbreaking pathos come hot on the heels of moments of riotous fun, but it's the bewilderment of a family struggling to make peace with loss that will stay with me the longest." --Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

"Exquisite. A first novel to treasure and inspire. Vivid, poignant, hilarious, and tragic, The Infamous Gilberts is the most rewarding and beautiful book I've read in ages." --Barbara Trapido, author of Brother of the More Famous Jack

"Completely captivating; I absolutely loved it. A compelling, ingenious, mischievous blend of tragedy, comedy, and intrigue." --Nina Stibbe, author of Love Nina

"The Infamous Gilberts is quite unlike anything I have ever read; a highly imaginative world within a world. Exquisite, unsettling, and utterly unique." --Jessica Stanley, author of Consider Yourself Kissed

About the Author

Angela Tomaski was born in Oxford and raised in Somerset with her four brothers and sisters. She has had a variety of different jobs, including as a waitress, housecleaner, English teacher, and activity coordinator in a nursing home. She has a daughter and two grandsons and now lives in rural Dorset.