Published in 1980, this book felt a bit dated. (Eerie, since I graduated high school in '81, that so many things should feel "stale".) But that only added to its sort of otherworldly morality tale feel. (Also, it's set in the UK, which invariably seems exotic to this midwestern gal. One of these days I really have to find out what "council housing" is, for instance.)

Loved the complex, dark plot, in which characters' relationships are either misrepresented, misinterpreted, or based not on love but on other, less-worthy emotions. They are beautifully drawn, quite vivid in my imagination. While I wouldn't want to live in or even visit the world RR created, it was fascinating to read. I'll try another of her books. ( )