By Sebastian Faulks
The author returns with Farewell to Eden, an ambitious historical novel about love, trauma, faith and the difficult process of rebuilding a life after war. Set between post-war Mandatory Palestine and the English countryside, the novel explores how private lives carry the lasting consequences of major historical events.
The story follows Philip Deval, a soldier who has recently returned from the beaches of Normandy. He arrives in Mandatory Palestine during the final days of the British Mandate. The apparent paradise of the Sea of Galilee soon gives way to a new and violent conflict. Years later, Philip teaches at an English school, where he meets the enigmatic music mistress, Frances Darwood. Their relationship gradually forces Philip to confront the memories that continue to shape him.
The epic novel is set in post-World War Two Britain
Farewell to Eden stands out for its exploration of moral choice and human resilience. Faulks moves between historical upheaval and intimate personal experience with considerable control. The result is a story that examines how people recover after profound suffering.
The novel also asks difficult questions about faith, love and humanity. Philip’s experiences reveal how war can reshape relationships long after the fighting ends. Meanwhile, Frances provides a contrasting perspective on connection and emotional recovery.
Readers have praised Faulks’s research, storytelling and emotional depth. The endorsements from William Boyd, Hannah Rothschild, Antony Beevor and Afua Hirsch further highlight the novel’s historical richness and humane perspective.
About the author
Sebastian Faulks has written nineteen books. Several have achieved major commercial success, including A Week in December and The Fatal Englishman. He is best known for Birdsong, part of his French trilogy, and Human Traces, the first book in an ongoing Austrian trilogy.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Faulks worked as a journalist on national newspapers. He has also written screenplays and appeared in small stage roles. His experience across different forms of storytelling informs the historical depth evident in Farewell to Eden.
- PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House SA |
- ISBN | 9781529153231 |
- Recommended Retail Price | R430.00 |
- Classification | Novel |
