The Captains and the Kings by Jennifer Johnston
A poignant debut novel of age, loneliness and friendship across divides... Mr Prendergast, an elderly Anglo-Irishman, is living out his last years in the decaying splendour of his family mansion. As his mind wanders through the gloom he finds it peopled with memories of his neglected wife, his pale shadow of a father, his icily glamorous mother and Alexander, the son she so jealously loved, killed in the First World War. With only his ill-tempered alcoholic gardener left to attend to him, Mr Prendergast is content to pass his days in such ghostly company. Until young Diarmid arrives, keen-eyed and carrot-haired, to disperse the gathering darkness with curiosity, and the promise of friendship. 'Assured and skilful' Sunday Times
Jennifer Johnston has written a beauty..full of sharp truth * Daily Telegraph *
Elegantly written... it is a tragic story with a merciful ending... Jennifer Johnston knows her Ireland as well as she knows human nature * Irish Times *
I greatly enjoyed and admired The Captains and the Kings -- Kingsley Amis * Observer *
Assured and skillful * The Sunday Times *
Formidably well done * Guardian *
Elegantly written... it is a tragic story with a merciful ending... Jennifer Johnston knows her Ireland as well as she knows human nature * Irish Times *
I greatly enjoyed and admired The Captains and the Kings -- Kingsley Amis * Observer *
Assured and skillful * The Sunday Times *
Formidably well done * Guardian *
Jennifer Johnston, who died in 2025, was one of the foremost Irish writers of her generation. She won the Whitbread Prize (THE OLD JEST), the Evening Standard Best First Novel Award (for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS), the Yorkshire Post Award, Best Book of the Year (twice, for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS and HOW MANY MILES TO BABYLON?). She was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize with SHADOWS ON OUR SKIN.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780747259343 |
| ISBN 10 | 0747259348 |
| Title | The Captains and the Kings |
| Author | Jennifer Johnston |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Headline Publishing Group |
| Year published | 1999-01-07 |
| Number of pages | 160 |
| Prizes | Winner of Yorkshire Post Literary Award Best First Work Category 1972 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |