London, late 1950s. In the Directorate of Overseas Surveys, three young lives entwine. John and Laurance could not be less alike: the stalwart, conventional John – and the brilliant, flawed Laurance. When Laurance’s surveying career takes him to Africa, his letters home enthral John, whose own job takes him no further than the dustier reaches of the departmental archives. And then there’s Helen, a young woman escaping her rural upbringing, and hungry for adventure. Her arrival at the Directorate changes all their lives for ever.

‘The metaphor of the title involves not just a three-way relationship in which nobody accurately assesses what the others think or feel, but also, more ambitiously, the mapping of a changing Britain, from an empire with a purpose to an agglomeration of suburbs with no role’ – Sunday Times

‘Whitaker is an intelligent, sympathetic and eloquent writer’ – Sunday Telegraph

‘It is hard to believe that this is only Whitaker’s second novel’ – Guardian

‘A distinguished, resonant novel’ – Spectator

‘Conspicuously well done’ – Independent

‘This summer’s must-read’ – Tatler

‘It is hard to praise Triangulation enough’ – New Statesman

‘A clever, beautifully judged piece of writing’ – Financial Times

‘A wonderfully told story’ – Times

‘An effortless, rewarding read’ – Sunday Herald