Helpful Score: 6
This is a book you won't easily forget! It is a tragic story of a Wales family in the 60's seen through the eyes of the youngest daughter. Parts of it are painful to read, especially about child mistreatment, but it is well-done. The beginning and the ending are worth the somewhat rambling middle section. I wanted to know more about the child who narrates this haunting story!
Helpful Score: 1
This a debut novel that was a Booker Prize finalist and National Bestseller. The cover picture captured my eye and the story hooked me from the first page!
Helpful Score: 1
Very well written, I see why it was a bestseller and Booker Prize finalist. Very sad story, yet compulsive. The poor narrator. Her sisters, some nice, some mean. The poor circumstances of their family. Their DAD! I really didn't like him. Only a well written book could have given me such insight into this family and their circumstances. The hopelessness of it all, the ups, the downs, the children's lives in the balance. I did care about the girls and their Mama. Was surprised, but not surprised, by the revelations near the end. An ugly, gritty reality for many that live in poverty I suppose.
Helpful Score: 1
I read the book and was really glad the children survived their terrible childhood, what a sad family and how they were all affected by their upbringing! So many of their siblings were in denial of what had really happened as their treatment by their parents was so shocking and they were unable to handle the memories...it was a well written book but a disturbing subject.
