The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce

By: Paul Torday

Narrated by: David Rintoul

Late one summer evening, Wilberforce - rich, young, work-obsessed and self-contained - makes an unexpected detour on the way home from the software company he owns and unwittingly takes the first step on a journey that will change his life. His uncharacteristically impulsive act leads him to the door of Caerlyon Hall, the domain of Francis Black, a place where wine, hospitality, and affection flow freely.

Through Francis, the eccentric and enigmatic owner of Caerlyon, Wilberforce is initiated into a rich life he could never have imagined, becomes a willing pupil to Francis' master, and in the cellars of Caerlyon he nurtures a new-found passion for fine wine. But even the finest wine can leave a bitter aftertaste, and Wilberforce will learn that the undercroft holds some unpalatable secrets, and that passion comes at a price.

©2008 Paul Torday (P)2008 Orion Publishing Group Ltd.

Critic reviews

"David Rintoul narrates this ingenious story in a wine-dark voice, rich in timbre, ranging from smoky oak to black currant, giving meaty tongue to poor Wilberforce's occasional befuddlement. His command of accents - sommelier French, Tyneside demotic, upper-class snootiness - is restrained and adept. Both novel and narration are outstanding." (Washington Post Book World)

My favorite novel of all time

An amazing book that should connect to anyone who is a bit different than the crowd, and for anyone who can appreciate the overwhelming folly and mental anguish that awaits those who while are good and decent, but yet whom choose the selfish option when the decision really really matters.

Deeply moving

This is a beautifully realised and moving story. Wonderfully written and read, it held me gripped throughout. I was not familiar with Paul Torday and having experienced 'Wilberforce' am now being amused by "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen".
The story of the Wilberforce (and you do get to find out his first name) tells of the slide into madness and the deceit of addiction. Paul Torday writes with command and confidence and his descriptive prose at times is mesmerising. Highly recommended.

Extraordinary story

Not all is "light & happiness" in this story, but the main character is extremely well constructed & throughout the story we get inklings that help us understand him. It is superbly crafted, a wonderful read. It's definitely "hard to put down".

Starting this book you have no idea where it's going to go. That said, it is one of those stories that begins at the end...and ends at the beginning.

A little way into the book we begin to grasp what's going on for Wilberforce & how this part of his story will end. He's a character to love, with all of his failings.

If you've read & enjoyed "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" you will know & appreciate Paul Torday's wonderful way with a story. This story is not in the same theme, but his brilliant narrative style is expressed just as clearly.

Paul Tourday

The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce kept me interested throughout. The reverse sequence plot was somewhat disconcerting as you knew the end and could only listened for the way the end was reached.

Very, very good.

I bought this on a whim, having never heard of the book or the author before - I just like David Rintoul as a narrator. It turned out to be a fantastic story - lots of twists and turns, an interesting approach to 'revealing' both elements of the story and the character of the protagonist, good writing, and good reading. (I don't want to spoil it for you by saying much about the plot.) My only quibble, and it's a small one, is that I would have liked a little more closure at the end - I was left thinking, "Okay, but what happened NEXT?" But overall highly recommended.