A Circle of Friends

Julian Mitchell''s fifth novel, first published in 1966, is the story of Martin Bannister, whose lonely bachelor life in Manhattan is transformed by a meeting with desirable redhead Henrietta Grigson and her husband Freddy, with whom he embarks on a heady social whirl. But Martin has a surprise in store - a plot twist the real-life inspiration for which Julian Mitchell divulges in his new preface to this Faber Finds edition.

''A comedy that is delightfully human, played by characters who have the edgy vitality of real life.'' Evening Standard

''Mitchell is a writer of the most supple technical accomplishment.'' Telegraph

''Ingeniously constructed and excellently written.'' Listener