The story is based over time in Cornwall and New york. It concerns a young girl Elly and her idolised older brother, Joe, who is the only person to realise that his sister has been sexually abused. Joe's reaction to this shows his passion and determination to protect his sister from their neighbour. Their loving but flakey parents are bilissfully unaware. Elly's best friend is the product of a dysfunctional family, and eventually she vanishes from Elly's life. The novel changes timescale into the future and adult lives, and does so seamlessly. Joe is gay and lives in NYC. Elly is still his adored sister. Then Joe is involved in the 9/11 tragedy. Fear, relief and then a different kind of terror invade their lives. It is a book about relationships and love, about what can remain locked inside and how love can bring it to the surface.
A celebration of all that is enchanting, ordinary and exceptional. I really enjoyed this book.
“Memories no matter how small or inconsequential are the pages that define us.”
10/10
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