This fourth book in A. S. Byatt's series about Frederica Potter takes her heroine into London, where she is the host of a TV program about the arts. She also becomes involved with a religious cult and its charismatic leader, Joshua Ramsden. A New York Times Notable Book for 2003.

Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, DBE (Born Antonia Susan Drabble 24 August 1936, Sheffield, England) is an English novelist and poet. She is the daughter of His Honour John Frederick Drabble, QC and late Kathleen Marie Bloor, and married to Peter Duffy. She is usually known as A. S. Byatt.