The Girl In The Polka Dot Dress
2011
Beryl's final novel, published posthumously
'Among the finest of Bainbridge's fine works of fiction . . . Sombre, terrifying and hilarious' - Paul Bailey, Independent
'A tour de force . . . the comedy is marvellously black' - Mark Bostridge, Financial Times
'Very gripping, very funny and deeply mysterious . . . one of Bainbridge's best creations' -
A. N. Wilson, Spectator
'Blazes with Bainbridge's unique talent . . . a superb and memorable work of fiction' - Melvyn Bragg, Observer
In the summer of 1968, Rose sets off for the United States from Kentish Town; in her suitcase a polka-dot dress and a one-way ticket. Together with the sinister man known only as Washington Harold, she goes in search of the charismatic and elusive Dr Wheeler - the man Rose credits with rescuing her from a terrible childhood, and against whom Harold nurses a silent grudge.
As the odd couple journey across an America on the brink of paranoid disintegration, their journey mirrors that of Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign. As they draw ever closer to the elusive Dr Wheeler, one hot day in June at the Ambassador Hotel in LA, their search finally reaches its terrible climax.
First published by Little Brown in 2011
Published by Europa Editions in 2012
Published by Abacus in 2012
Beryl Bainbridge's The Girl In The Polka Dot Dress