Businessmen as Lovers

Synopsis

On a sun-drenched Italian island, Mimi and Caroline join an eccentric gathering of expatriates, holidaymakers, and wealthy socialites for what promises to be an idyllic escape. Among the guests are a charismatic host and his mistress, an ambitious venture capitalist, an Iranian tycoon, a quietly devoted English journalist, and a thoroughly unfortunate local dentist. As leisurely days of food, wine, and flirtation unfold, rivalries, romances, and absurd schemes quietly build toward a delightfully chaotic climax.

Sparkling with wit, satire, and theatrical charm, Businessmen as Lovers is a stylish comedy of manners that delights in exposing the vanities, desires, and peculiarities of its unforgettable cast. Long out of print, Rosemary Tonks's novel is a brilliantly eccentric rediscovery from one of Britain's most distinctive literary voices.

About the Author

Rosemary Tonks (1928–2014) was a British poet and novelist celebrated for her sharp wit, psychological insight, and elegant prose. After publishing a remarkable body of work during the 1960s, she withdrew from public life for decades, leaving behind a small but highly influential literary legacy. Her novels have since been rediscovered by a new generation of readers.

Publisher
New Directions

Publication Date
September 30, 2025

Format
Paperback

Pages
232

Subjects
Literary Fiction · British Literature · Satire · Classics

ISBN
9780811240246