I approached this book with great trepidation having given up reading the same author's acclaimed novel "Nights at the Circus". However the early parts of this story were much better. I liked the descriptions of the main characters, especially the young siblings, fifteen year old Melanie, Jonathon and Victoria. Mrs Rundle (unmarried!) is absent far too early. These early pages are full of lightness and wit, but that telegram changes everything. Melanie knows it's contents before it is opened. I was as horrified by the revelation as was Melanie. "A black bucket of misery tipped itself up over Melanie's head".
Their new life is far different to their old. It starts quite strangely and goes downhill. There are lighter moments, model maker Jonathon is happy with his new room "almost like a crow's nest, on a ship, only with a bed". There are definitely emotional moments throughout that were quite surprising. I liked how the author made subtle comparisons between the children's old life and the new. The latter was far harsher and poorer but did have some compensations. (Exam question: Compare Mrs Rundle with the mute Aunt Margaret). Although as the book becomes far darker and, at times, seedier, I was constantly hoping for something happier to come along. But all the time the angry, brooding presence of Uncle Philip hovers over the family. I had thought this might be a good book for my fifteen year old grand daughter. No!!!
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