For that alone, this is an unusual novel. Certainly not as the protagonists in thoughtful dramas about family, ageing, regret, grief, and self-discovery. We're not used to reading about older women especially not grandmothers. Salley Vickers is an excellent writer and her grasp of character and dialogue reminds me of the wonderful Elizabeth Taylor, as does her ability to write these quiet novels that are full of insight, wit and (often) heartache. It's less subversive and challenging than The Librarian but an excellent read nonetheless. but has come to occupy that role of warmth and support and love so often associated with grandmothers. I found Minna's story particularly moving since she is not related to her faux-grandchild, the child of a neighbour. All three women are haunted by the regret of past mistakes. The family ties are strained as they have been disappointed by, or have disappointed, their children but dote on their grandchildren. See Nan, Minna and Blanche, three very different women struggling to maintain relationships with their grandchildren. Motherhood, and grandmotherhood, are not easy roles and while we may have clear ideas of the archetype the women who occupy them are far more complex and varied. Salley Vickers tackles families and, in particular grandmothers, and the challenges of relationships between multiple generations.
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