Bernice Rubens

Norman is the clever one of a close-knit Jewish family in the East End of London. Infant prodigy; brilliant barrister; the apple of his parents' eyes . . . until at forty-one he becomes a drug addict, confined to his bedroom, at the mercy of his hallucinations and paranoia. For Norman, his committal to a mental hospital represents the ultimate act of betrayal. For Rbbi Zweck, Norman's father, his son's deterioration is a bitter reminder of his own guilt and failure. Only Bella, the unmarried sister, still in her childhood white ankle socks, can reach across the abyss of pain to bring father and son the elusive peace which they both desperately crave.

Madame Sousatzka specialises in child prodigies. In her hands the new boy will blossom into musical genius. But the public cannot hear him yet: until his debut he belongs to Sousatzka and her bizarre hot-house tenants. One day he will be a great pianist - until that day he must play only for Sousatzka ...

George Verrey Smith, suburban schoolmaster, is bored: with his wife, his life, his job. Plagued by poison pen letters, suffused with lust for Mrs Johnson next door,the only bright spot in George's life is Sunday. On Sunday George looks his best. On Sunday George dresses up. On Sunday George becomes Emily.

Amy Evans retained all her life the squat nose of her childhood, stubbed on to her face like a plasticine afterthought, a chin too long for any practical purpose, and eyes so close together that it seemed the sole function of the bridge of her nose was too keep them apart. For comfort she would go down to the beach, where the breeze from the sea blew into her face her share of the beauty to which her brother had so liberally helped himself. The gulls would wait for her to leave, no matter how long she stayed, for they were real gentlemen - the only gentlemen she was ever to meet in her life. Now in her late fifties, Amy faces a struggle on two fronts. Loneliness looms the larger as the chance of finding love grows more remote. Survival depends on the outcome of her search for a love object, and "I Sent a Letter to My Love", set in Porthcawl on the coast of South Wales, tells the moving and unsentimental story of Amy's bold play for happiness, and her dangerous success. The richly comic gifts, the wit and inventiveness that distinguished all Bernice Rubens' work are reinforced in this novel by a maturity and depth of compassion for her characters.

A new anthology of writing about Cardiff, celebrating 100 years as a city, 50 as the Welsh capital. Peter Finch and Grahame Davies are ideally placed to select the writers and writing which reflect the modern Cardiff. Here are revealing and entertaining contributions from some of the finest writers in Britain, all of whom have something personal, original and incisive to say about the city – including Niall Griffiths, Dannie Abse, John Williams, James Hawes, Trezza Azzopardi, Sean Burke, Duncan Bush, Gillian Clarke, Anna Davis, Nia Williams, Lloyd Robson, Owen Martell, Bernice Rubens, Alexander Cordell, Glyn Jones, Emyr Humphreys, Leonora Brito and many, many others. The Big Book of Cardiff is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Wales' capital. Poet and literary trail-blazer Peter Finch has been at the centre of Cardiff's books scene for thirty years. He is the author of two best-selling books on his hometown, Real Cardiff, and Real Cardiff Two, and the editor of the Real Wales series. He is Chief Executive of Academi, the agency promoting Welsh Literature. Grahame Davies lives in Cardiff; he is a Welsh-language poet and novelist, and editor of the Seren anthology, Chosen People: Wales and the Jews.

Norman is the clever one of a close-knit Jewish family in the East End of London. Infant prodigy; brilliant barrister; the apple of his parents' eyes... until at forty-one he becomes a drug addict, confined to his bedroom, at the mercy of his hallucinations and paranoia. For Norman, his committal to a mental hospital represents the ultimate act of betrayal. For Rbbi Zweck, Norman's father, his son's deterioration is a bitter reminder of his own guilt and failure. Only Bella, the unmarried sister, still in her childhood white ankle socks, can reach across the abyss of pain to bring father and son the elusive peace which they both desperately crave.

BROTHERS is a heart-breaking record of persecution and inhumanity; it is also a testament to human endurance, faith and love.