Abacus Books Series

Madame Sousatzka is a gifted piano teacher who specializes in child prodigies and hosts her lessons in the dilapidated London home she shares with three other eccentrics: a 'countess' in retirement, a gay osteopath, and a 'woman-of-the-evening'. Madame Sousatzka's newest student is an astonishing talent, and 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 ...

This moving and entertaining novel by Booker Prize-winning author Bernice Rubens was adapted into the 1988 film starring Shirley MacLaine.

'A story of delectable charm and wit. Passionate, comical, touchingly unaware of oddity, Madame Sousatzka is Ms Rubens' most engaging creation, inimitable and unforgettable.'-The Times

A Five Year Sentence

by Bernice Rubens

Published September 1978

Sunday Best

by Bernice Rubens

Published 16 September 1971

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.

Mate in Three

by Bernice Rubens

Published 26 March 1987

Go Tell the Lemming

by Bernice Rubens

Published 1 November 1973

Kingdom Come

by Bernice Rubens

Published 12 February 1990

A novel based loosely on the life of the Turkish-born 17th-century Jew, Shabbatai Zevi. Hailed as the Messiah, forced to convert to Islam, five times married, he is an eccentric and exotic character. In 1970 the author won the Booker Prize for her fourth novel, The Elected Member.

Our Father

by Bernice Rubens

Published 26 March 1987

One day in the desert, Veronica Smiles, professional explorer, meets God. She'd called out to Him. At least, that's His story - she hadn't given Him a thought for years. Gradually, however, she came to realize how much she needed Him. The author won the Booker Prize for The Elected Member.

Spring Sonata

by Bernice Rubens

Published October 1979

Birds of Passage

by Bernice Rubens

Published 10 September 1981