The Grown-Ups — Victoria Glendinning

'There are no grown-ups.' Everyone in this wickedly entertaining novel, whatever their age, bullies or deceives or adores someone else, in the merciless playgrounds of London flats, country villages, television studios and conferences. At the centre of it all is Leo Ulm, social scientist and media guru, who magnetizes his wives, lovers and friends with his fading brilliance. He obsesses them all, including clear-eyed Clara, though she may often wish he were dead. The god of his own universe, Leo is monstrously vain and arrogant - until something happens which leaves all the women in his life in shock. Then, perhaps, Clara begins to grow up...