"It is 1758 and Matthieu Zela is fleeing Paris after witnessing the murder of his mother and the execution of his stepfather. With his young half brother Tomas in tow, Matthieu sets off for England with the girl he believes will be the love of his life. But before the eighteenth century ends, Matthieu discovers that his body has stopped aging, forcing him to realize that "lifelong romance" is sometimes a relative term." "By the end of the twentieth century, Matthieu can look back at life during the French Revolution, London's Great Exhibition of 1851, the birth of Hollywood, and the Wall Street Crash. He has made his fortune, survived countless wives and lovers, and watched in dismay as nine generations of Tomas's descendents met untimely deaths. Now, as he looks forward to his 257th year, Matthieu finds himself suddenly eager to help someone else put off the inevitable, and save the life of the newest son in his half brother's clan."--BOOK JACKET.

First published: 2000.