The Last of the Haussmans

Anarchic, feisty but growing old, high society drop-out Judy Haussman remains in spirit with the Ashrams of the 1960s while holding court in her dilapidated Art Deco house on the Devon coast.

My baby’s home! Let’s wake ’em up! The old rebels, eh? Let’s show this younger generation what it’s all about! Shall we get naked?

After an operation, she’s joined by wayward offspring Nick and Libby, sharp-eyed granddaughter Summer, local doctor Peter, and Daniel, a troubled teenager who makes use of the family’s crumbling swimming pool. Together they share a few sweltering months as they alternately cling to and flee this louche and chaotic world of all-day drinking, infatuations, long-held resentments, free love and failure.

The only thing to be in life is a rebel.

Stephen Beresford’s The Last of the Haussmans examines the fate of the revolutionary generation and offers a funny, touching and at times savage portrait of a family full of longing that’s losing its grip.

This house. This summer. I feel as though I’ve been in a coma for the last god knows how many years. Honestly. And I’m now finally waking up.