Description

Book Synopsis


''I barked out loud. Not since Freud has sex been more in bed with death. She gets sharper and more mordant with age and about age. This page-turner is like the best wakes, it will make you feel hungry and alive'' The Times


''She really is the Nora Ephron of North London'' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures

Pru is on her own. But then, so are plenty of other people. And while the loneliness can be overwhelming, surely she''ll find a party somewhere?

Pru''s husband has walked out, leaving her alone to contemplate her future. She''s missing not so much him, but the life they once had - nestling up like spoons in the cutlery drawer as they sleep. Now there''s just a dip on one side of the bed and no-one to fill it.

In a daze, Pru goes off to a friend''s funeral. Usual old hymns, words of praise and a eulogy but...it doesn''t sound like the friend she knew. She''s gone to the wrong service, though it was more excitement

Trade Review
I barked out loud. Not since Freud has sex been more in bed with death. She gets sharper and more mordant with age and about age. Thank goodness. This page-turner is like the best wakes, it will make you feel hungry and alive. * The Times *
As ever with Moggach, the joy is in her witty observations of middle-class life and bracingly tart portrayal of family relationships * Daily Mail *
A darkly funny novel about betrayal, loneliness and the surprising pleasure of being single again * Good Housekeeping *
With dry wit and observation, Moggach tackles the perils of ageing with brutal honesty * Daily Express *
Perceptive and devastating * Daily Mirror *
A delightful black comedy full of later-life misadventures * Best *
She really is the Nora Ephron of North London. Such a deceptively light touch, and so funny about the indignities of getting old and all our little vanities * Clare Chambers *
Moggach is always funny, perceptive and very contemporary * Philippa Perry *
I love clever books that make me laugh. Deborah Moggach, queen of social comedy, is on top form in The Black Dress. Superb * Cathy Rentzenbrink *
Princess of the deliciously dark * Mel Giedroyc *
'Moggach tackles the perils of ageing with honesty and wit' * Sunday Express *
'Both a delicious piece of mischief and a serious exploration of the 'howling loneliness' of the deserted older woman . . . [Moggach is] the most frank, unpretentious writer, always on the side of fun' * Saga *

The Black Dress

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    RRP £10.99 – you save £0.55 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Thu 25 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Deborah Moggach

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      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

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      Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
      Publication Date: 28/04/2022
      ISBN13: 9781472260505, 978-1472260505
      ISBN10: 1472260503

      Description

      Book Synopsis


      ''I barked out loud. Not since Freud has sex been more in bed with death. She gets sharper and more mordant with age and about age. This page-turner is like the best wakes, it will make you feel hungry and alive'' The Times


      ''She really is the Nora Ephron of North London'' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures

      Pru is on her own. But then, so are plenty of other people. And while the loneliness can be overwhelming, surely she''ll find a party somewhere?

      Pru''s husband has walked out, leaving her alone to contemplate her future. She''s missing not so much him, but the life they once had - nestling up like spoons in the cutlery drawer as they sleep. Now there''s just a dip on one side of the bed and no-one to fill it.

      In a daze, Pru goes off to a friend''s funeral. Usual old hymns, words of praise and a eulogy but...it doesn''t sound like the friend she knew. She''s gone to the wrong service, though it was more excitement

      Trade Review
      I barked out loud. Not since Freud has sex been more in bed with death. She gets sharper and more mordant with age and about age. Thank goodness. This page-turner is like the best wakes, it will make you feel hungry and alive. * The Times *
      As ever with Moggach, the joy is in her witty observations of middle-class life and bracingly tart portrayal of family relationships * Daily Mail *
      A darkly funny novel about betrayal, loneliness and the surprising pleasure of being single again * Good Housekeeping *
      With dry wit and observation, Moggach tackles the perils of ageing with brutal honesty * Daily Express *
      Perceptive and devastating * Daily Mirror *
      A delightful black comedy full of later-life misadventures * Best *
      She really is the Nora Ephron of North London. Such a deceptively light touch, and so funny about the indignities of getting old and all our little vanities * Clare Chambers *
      Moggach is always funny, perceptive and very contemporary * Philippa Perry *
      I love clever books that make me laugh. Deborah Moggach, queen of social comedy, is on top form in The Black Dress. Superb * Cathy Rentzenbrink *
      Princess of the deliciously dark * Mel Giedroyc *
      'Moggach tackles the perils of ageing with honesty and wit' * Sunday Express *
      'Both a delicious piece of mischief and a serious exploration of the 'howling loneliness' of the deserted older woman . . . [Moggach is] the most frank, unpretentious writer, always on the side of fun' * Saga *

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