I've just finished this book, which was a gift, and feel quite bereaved now. It's one of the most satisfying things I've read in ages. It's published by Persephone Press, which publishes works by forgotten or neglected female authors.

It was written in the 50s and tells the story of a happy middle class family, whose lives change for the worst when they have invite a 'serpent' into the garden in the form of a self serving and cold hearted French girl.

I can't recommend it highly enough.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Someone-at-Distance-Dorothy-Whipple/dp/0953478025

I have never read any Dorothea Whipple but have always felt I'd like to, because of Virago's famous Whipple line

I shall add Someone at a Distance to my never ending "must read" list.

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Apols, Dorothy. Don't know where Dorothea came from?!

What is the Virago line, Flora? Excuse my ignorance!

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I don;t mean who are Virago, just didn;t understand the reference!

I can't remember the precise details but when Virago Classics was founded they apparently had strenuous discussions about which works were sufficiently literary for the list, and Carmen Callil's cut off point for this was allegedly Dorothy Whipple. Anything above the "Whipple line" was suitable for the Virago list, anything below the Whipple line was binned.

So I have always longed to know where, in fact, the Whipple line stood, and not having read any Dorothy Whipple herself I am at a disadvantage...

Oh here we go - not "allegedly" at all, it's all true according to this interview: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/apr/26/featuresreviews.guardianreview2

Although Carmen Callil's inference is that Whipple herself was non-admissible!! [shock]

I'm sure I heard this on Radio 4 as a Book at bedtime, Caroline and always meant to read some of her stuff.

That's made me quite cross! Whipple Line indeed! What an absolute shocker.
I think I am going to boycott Virago in favour of Persephone Press from now on.

Jem - I think you'd love this one if you didn;t get to hear all of it on R4.

Those Persephone books are beautiful. Why would one ever want to read an e-book when you can look at those beautifully engineered little books?

Yes, they're gorgeous. When I wasn't reading the book, I was mainly stroking it