The first part of the book provides a portrait of war-time Britain from a child’s perspective, which is a slightly newer take, and one in which there is contemporary interest: compare the collection When the Children Came Home: Stories of Wartime Evacuees published recently by Simon & Schuster (978-1847398765) One of the few wartime novels to focus on Wales Describes the long-term effect on future relationships of childhood sexual abuse and shows the protagonist’s journey from alienation to acceptance and self-affirmation Of interest to readers of Welsh origin or connections, and perhaps to ex-pats generally. It presents a picture of a difficult mother-daughter relationship Is partly a study of geriatric care The episodic nature of the plot provides variety and action