This novel is set in 1964, we meet Eileen Dunlop, our protagonist. She is only 24 years old but is expected to look after her alcoholic Father whilst maintaining her job as secretary at a young boys prison. In terms of narrative, it is told from Eileen‘s point of view, but she is looking back in retrospect on her younger years. We get the sense that she is significantly older as she recounts her younger years.

"Her uniform was mustard yellow with a white collar. Over it she wore a pink sweater with shiney black beads embroidered along the neck. they looked like busy ants swarming at her throat"

Turner explores the difficulties that her protagonist encounters in both her marital and professional life. The final chapters of the novel were definitely more powerful than the earlier ones. The issues that Rebecca faces and overcomes allows the reader to really identify which fleshes out the novel. To sum up, Turner deals with; personal development, loneliness, paranoia, grief, love and forgiveness.

3.8 out of 5 :)