One of my favourite reads so far this year and in my opinion even better than the author's excellent debut novel `Emotional Geology'.
With this second novel I feel that Linda Gillard has established herself as an author to be watched by those who enjoy contemporary literature.
The story of the Dunbar's and their complicated familial relationships will stay with me, long after I finished reading. It is a disturbing but compelling tale as one is drawn into the lives of the family members.
The jumping backwards and forwards in time of the narrative I at first found confusing and had me flicking back and forth checking points. However for me this style added considerably to the understanding, because of the complexity of the story. I am intrigued as to how Linda Gillard tackled the writing of these different sections? Anyway the technique works very well with Flora's narrative starting the novel with her own funeral and then continuing to be inserted throughout.
I admire the author for tackling such a difficult theme so sensitively without causing angst.
I feel that I could say more but not without spoiling the plot for those who have yet to read this.
I am now encouraging family, friends and others to read the work of this brilliant new author if they have not already discovered her themselves.
I had a very enjoyable few hours immersed in the life of the Dunbar's and am now looking forward to the publication of her third novel.