An earthquake strikes at the heart of London, its epicenter a theatre where a lavish production of "The Tempest" has just opened. Thus, the scene is set for Will Eaves's gloriously deft tragicomedy of our time. "Nothing To Be Afraid Of" is both a lament for hope abandoned and innocence betrayed, and an exquisite comic pageant of Shakespearian vitality and compassion: an incidental theatrical history, across the twentieth century, of the art of pretence; of patience, trust and loyalty; of folly in youth and unforgivable old age. 'Tender, playful and full of beautifully observed descriptions of growing up and growing old...with some terrific comic set-pieces the equal of anything in Waugh and Wodehouse. Now that's good writing.' - "Daily Telegraph". 'In the case of his novel, Eaves has nothing to be afraid of. This deft, absorbing book more than confirms the promise of "The Oversight". Eaves is a master of the dark arts of city fiction. He is to be read, relished and watched very closely.' - "Independent". '"Nothing To Be Afraid Of" provides several coups de theatre...[it] is a tragicomic tale of secrets, a drowned daughter, infidelity and mistaken identity...It is so clever, so apt, so right that you have no option but to read the novel with its built-in encore all over again. It seems even better the second time round' - "Sunday Telegraph".