R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 3/15/2011 + 1438 more book reviews

Morton's approach in this novel is quite different from Distant Hours. Nevertheless, I do like this technique where she goes back and forth in time with different story tellers. Having searched for ancesters myself, I understand Cassandra's fascination for solving the mystery of her grandmother's background. The story is told by so many voices but the author has such talent that the tale seems to flow flawlessly. At the age of four Nell was abandoned on a ship heading for Australia. Who was she? Who were her parents? Where was her family? While she grows up in loving family when she discovers that abandonment she searches her memories and whatever clues she can find to discover who she is. Why did her mother leave her alone on this ship? Didn't her mother care about her? Nell unearths part of the secret but the rest remains for her granddaughter, Cassandra, to unravel after Nell's death. Cassandra, her grandmother Nell and Eliza told their portions with such deep emotion. Unraveling the mystery is at last completed by Cassandra who follows her grandmother's footsteps to uncover her true identity. The truth is strange indeed. What a wonderful story!

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