Anglo-French writer Michèle Roberts writes the story of cousins, one English, one French. Every short chapter is triggered by some household object in the house where Thérèse and Léonie both live in their teenage years. The book paints a vivid picture of French country-house life in the post-war years, and was a device I enjoyed, just as I enjoyed observing the girls' somewhat love-hate relationship develop, despite their closeness. But I was uninvolved in the plot itself, which I found rather slight. For me, this book was very much a case of style over substance. ( )

Two adolescent cousins are growing up together in a family home in 1960s Normandy. It was quite beguilingly written, but the short, choppy chapters, bringing in hints of stories, left me kind of bemused. There's a heady mix of teenage hormones, a war time atrocity, a family secret and a mysterious old shrine in the woods...Didnt quite engage me. ( )

(8.5) This was just the story I needed to draw me back into reading after a very busy family time. At only 172 pages , it was a quick and very satisfying read about life in a village in France, post the Second World War. I was soon intrigued by where this book was taking the reader. This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be long before I pick up another I have on my shelves. ( )

surpised it won a prize. seemed unexceptional to me. had a little bit of trouble keeping all the characters straight. ( )

Good book! This is a book about two girl cousins who grew up together in Normandy France, went separate ways and then reunite after 20 years. The chapters are each about an object in their childhood house and usually very short. This style of writing made it very quick to read but made the narrative a little jumpy for me. I liked the detailed descriptions, getting a glimpse of country life in France after World War II, and how we really get to know the relationship between the cousins. I thought I would enjoy this book more but I still thought it was a good read. ( )