A new book by Robert Harris is always an event in my world and Precipice continues his run as the unviralled master of historical fiction. He always seems to manage to find events which are important historically and humanise them in a way that brings any period completely to life, whether it’s Ancient Rome, 17th century England and America, Edwardian Britain or even a dystopian future. Precipice is set in the United Kingdom in 1914 as war appears inevitable. The story revolves around the Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith, and his affair with Venetia Stanley, a society woman 35 years his junior. The precipice of the title is not only applicable to a world hurtling towards the loss of a generation of young men, including the sons of those making the decisions, but also for Asquith personally as he takes all sorts of risks by telling her state secrets and passing on confidential information. Finally we have Paul Deemer, a (fictitious) policeman brought in to the security forces to infiltrate the mail between the two and discover which secrets may have been disclosed. It’s a bizarre, almost unbelievable story, and yet it’s based on real life events. All the letters from Asquith which are contained in the book are his actual words (Venetia’s are invented to fill the gaps on her side as he destroyed her correspondence) and it’s incredible to see his infatuation and how much he focuses on her rather than world events, often writing to her three times a day (it’s also incredible to see such an efficient postal service). What’s most striking is the anonymity that the Prime Minister enjoys. He is able to walk around the streets unrecognised and Downing Street is open to all and little known even to taxi drivers. No. 10 feels more like a family home as Asquith walks across the road to discuss important matters late at night in the Foreign Office, then walks back home to lock the door behind him and go to bed. Asquith could easily have come across as either pathetic or unlikeable but instead he remains sympathetic. He seems to realise he’s out of his depth in this role at this time but is unable to see a way out. His wife, Margot, is the strong and ambitious one in the relationship and he seems to have come to the position partly through her networking. It’s clear that Venetia Stanley is not the first woman to occupy this role for him, that he needs these outside interests and uses the correspondence also as a means of working out his own thoughts. There’s a real sense of how heavily his decisions weigh on him throughout and you can feel the pressure build on him as the crowds grow outside the windows of No. 10. Venetia herself is an unusual and interesting character. She’s clearly intelligent but trapped by her position in the society of the time. She is very much part of the idle rich upper class, surrounded by bright young things who look no further than having fun (one of her circle is Asquith’s eldest son) and not at all satisfied by the thought of only marriage in her future rather than using her mind. In the beginning she seems to enjoy seeing such important information and discussing matters of national importance but becomes increasingly uncomfortable and suffocated by the situation as it spirals. Once I began this book, I couldn’t put it down. I was familiar with the story but Harris is such a wonderful writer that he brings everything to life. The build up to the Great War is complicated, with all the alliances around Europe, and I wasn’t overly familiar with all the politicians of the time but he manages to set the scene very well and it’s soon clear who everyone is and what role they play. It’s fascinating to see the young Churchill in the background, a Johnsonian figure full of excitement about the chance of war and reckless in many decisions, but we’re also always very aware that most of these people are concerned about all the lives that may be lost, especially as their own sons are likely to have to fight, and are very aware of how terrible this war will be. It’s a wonderful book, another brilliant glimpse into history from Harris, and I can’t wait to see where in time he goes next.

A simply remarkable dramatisation of historical events. Aside from knowing he was once prime minister, I didn't know anything about Asquith - feel a little more educated now, but what a naive man he was! Using real-life sensitive and highly secret correspondence from Asquith to 26 year old socialite Venetia Stanley, Robert Harris crafts a masterpiece of a story. Asquith shares secrets continually with Venetia as the world braces itself for WW1, while the intelligence services become aware that correspondence is being leaked when they discover a telegram on the street - that the reckless Asquith tosses from a car window. Absolutely fascinating for the truth this story contains. Couldn't put it down.

Harris weaves historical fact and fiction focused on Prime Minister Asquith and his obsession with the 26-year-old socialite, Venetia Stanley. The novel takes place in the turbulent times in the summer of 1914, leading to the First World War. Powerful older man, young socialite, leaked secret files and government spies. I thoroughly enjoyed this book although not an avid reader of historical fiction, however this novel drew me in almost immediately. Highly recommend

Goodness this book was a real eye opener, and a shocking indictment of people in power and their ability, or otherwise, to make life or death decisions regarding other people's lives. As ever Mr Harris' writing is easy to read and engaging, so the reader learns a lot without trying too hard. However, I had to keep reminding myself it was true that a British wartime Prime Minister had an affair with a younger aristocratic woman and entrusted her with confidential details of what was happening in the Cabinet and abroad and valued her opinion! I heard Mr Harris interviewed on the radio this morning and was interested to hear him say he thought Venetia was one of the country's unsung but very powerful women and it added a definite nuance to read the book in this way. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book

Harris has once more found a little known historical event and created, yet again a brilliant page turner. His research into all aspects surrounding the story, as has been displayed so many times with his novels, is awesome. Whilst the story is one of did they/didn't they of the two main protagonists has you thinking, what really gripped me was the information that Mr Harris provides around they events during one of the most turbulent times of the 20th Century. All his novels have immense factual content but is accessible in a way that an outstanding author can do with ease. Every novel that Mr Harris has published I have purchased on day of release since discovering his writing with his first novel "Fatherland" , and I have not been disappointed with any one of them. He is an author I recommend with confidence as a true thriller writer par excellence.