I must confess that I didn't really 'get' this. I don't know if I'm just not the target audience but it just seemed a bit unfinished. It felt to me that there needed to be a little bit more set in the present day OR another chapter or two at the end.

I'm going to be placing this in my 'to donate' pile. ( )

I felt compelled to finish this because I have a whole shelf of unread thrift store books making me feel guilty. I was bothered by the unfamiliar lifestyle of their family, it just didn't seem believable...or it is hard to imagine a single mother affording such a privileged and indulgent lifestyle (even if she sold paintings for awhile).
Too many characters, and locales-- and so little depth. Not to mention the downward spiral of the main character and her mother was just depressing. It's too bad the story didn't stay focused. Each time I started to enjoy a setting, the story changed. So many good places for the story to stay focused on and developed more. Too bad.
I don't know if it is me or what, but I do like to start a book and have a clear time and place hinted at with in the first few paragraphs. I couldn't really "place" the characters in a certain time period. It took awhile. I suppose it was early 80s onward? I don't know. Maybe I missed some British references.
Anyway, thank god it is over.
( )

I LOVED this book!!!! well worth the read. ( )

I loved the book! Knowing that this was the first book by Sophie Dahl and think it was a good start. ( )

I wanted to like this book, but I am pretty tired of dysfunctional families who have the resources and education needed to access the required healing services and who act irresponsibly as parents. I was disappointed. ( )