This novel, as befits a book often described as 'Gothic', is a disturbing read. Rob and his younger sister, the narrator Cathy, have been abandoned to life in their country house firstly by their mother, who simply went away, and by their father, who became institutionalised. They are in the care of their grandfather, but actually cared for by Kate, their maid, and only friend. The ghastly Miss Gallagher would like to care for Cathy, but Cathy does not care for her. Rob and Cathy, finally, only have each other. I don't want to do a spoiler, so let's leave it there.

Helen Dunmore is mistress of the perfect description. Whether it's a winter garden, a scratchy outdoor coat, a fit of vomiting, or a cool appraisal of a fellow guest at a dance, Dunmore cam mnake you live the moment, feel the sensation. For this alone the book is worth reading. It's an involving and disquieting tale. In the end, I found the concluding chapter or so rushed and unconvincing, compared with the careful narration that had gone previously. But that's no reason not to read the book. Helen Dunmore's always worth it ( )

Strange and disturbing, but ultimately unputdownable. ( )

This is a weird and intense book with lots of half explained secrets, as well as many terrible twists and turns. It feels cold and harsh and uncomfortable. It was the first winner of the Women's Prize and a worthy one too. I also really like how it ended, you could feel the atmosphere change with the weather. ( )

Catherine and Rob grow up under the protection of there aloof grandfather, their mother having deserted them for a life in Europe following her husband's removal to an asylum.
The two children forge a very close bond with each other which in turn develops into an incestuous relationship, (this is the second historical novel I have read with this as the theme recently).
When the affair is witnessed and Catherine discovers she is pregnant their fragile world collapses and a succession of tragic events ensue.
The authors style of writing kept me reading despite the turn of events, which I struggle with. The ending felt a little disconnected from the rest of the story and we never do learn what happened in her parents relationship to trigger the the breakdown. I note that it was awarded the Orange Prize in 1996. ( )

[This is a review I wrote in 2007]

**Beautiful and haunting...**

There's not a part of this novel that appears out of place. Each and every word fits beautifully into an intricately woven and sorrowfully haunting tale.

A brother and sister are left parentless at an early age. They are brought up in a very sheltered way by a troubled grandfather, and the housemaid (not much older than themselves), in a large and deteriorating country manor. Set around the time of the First World War, this duo are caught up in a period of social hierarchy with high societal moral values. As a result, they find out early on that they have to work together to keep family secrets deeply hidden in the past. Effectively isolated from those around them, they increasingly turn to one another for comfort and their relationship develops into something more...

Take the time to get involved as a reader, right from the very start, and you will be rewarded with an intensely involved story of discovering love and adulthood, learning right and wrong. At times disturbing, challenging the boundaries of sibling love, the simple naivety of the leading character and story-teller, Catherine, encourages an empathetic understanding and sympathy for her plight. Although dark and moving, a glimmer of sunshine and redemption can be found towards the end. ( )