ONE OF THE TIMES'' FAVOURITE NOVELS OF 2023''The Wide World is one of his best . . . Compellingly plotted, stuffed with great characters, thought-provokingly situated in history - honestly, what else do you want from a novel?'' The Times''Literature with conviction; a furious talent'' L''ObsThe first volume of THE GLORIOUS YEARS series, translated by Frank WynneBeirut, 1948The Pelletier family returns... ''Over the years, the annual Pelletier family pilgrimage down the avenue des Françaishad known many variations, but never before had it taken on the air of a funeral cortège...''The Pelletiers are a hugely prominent French family living in BeirutLouis Pelletier has spent years building his soap business, dominating the manufacturing market. Now, he wants to pass on the leadership, but choosing which son to takeover from him is proving challenging.Jean, the eldest, has no such acumen for managing the enterprise and seems a hopeless and weak optionHis wife, though, has superior ambitions