You roll gently into the story, then come the jolts. There's pathos and much humour. It's Summer 1946, three diverse schoolgirl friends in an obscure northern seaside town, pass the time between a safe, familiar life and going off into the unknown world of distant universities. Joyous writing by this subtle novelist, nailing down time, place and the upsets that have dogged people throughout the ages.
(Joan Jackson - bwl 10 August 2001 ) |
