The Philanthropist

'His last prayer was more than forty years ago, and it went unanswered, so there is no use trying again. He can see his home in the distance: the marquee in the garden, the yacht at anchor. It is all like a simple parable. The rich man, the fat man, gets his comeuppance. Absurd, that he will be found dead wearing nothing but Speedos - it almost makes him laugh.'



Charles Bradshaw, an ageing tycoon, is haunted by his past. When he suffers a heart attack, he abruptly retires and announces that he will give his fortune to charity. This leads to conflict with his wife and adult children. A terrible secret from his past comes back, along with an old girlfriend.



Unnerved by their renewed affection for each other, Charles and Anna struggle to overcome their remorse and to make amends, but tension inevitably flares. Meanwhile, Charles's son is taking over the company, he is intoxicated with his newfound power, and Charles might have to intervene to save him from self-destruction.

John Tesarsch is the author of the acclaimed novels The Philanthropist and The Last Will and Testament of Henry Hoffman. He latest novel, Dinner with the Dissidents, will be published in September 2018. He has degrees in music and law, and pursued a career as a cellist in Vienna before he turned to writing. After travelling widely he returned to Australia, where he lives with his wife and two children. He is also a barrister, and lectures in law at the University of Melbourne.

'His last prayer was more than forty years ago, and it went unanswered, so there is no use trying again. He can see his home in the distance: the marquee in the garden, the yacht at anchor. It is all like a simple parable. The rich man, the fat man, gets his comeuppance. Absurd, that he will be found dead wearing nothing but Speedos - it almost makes him laugh.'Charles Bradshaw, an ageing tycoon, is haunted by his past. When he suffers a heart attack, he abruptly retires and announces that he will give his fortune to charity. This leads to conflict with his wife and adult children. A terrible secret from his past comes back, along with an old girlfriend.Unnerved by their renewed affection for each other, Charles and Anna struggle to overcome their remorse and to make amends, but tension inevitably flares. Meanwhile, Charles's son is taking over the company, he is intoxicated with his newfound power, and Charles might have to intervene to save him from self-destruction.

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