I loved this book full of quirky characters. Jane Gardam has a way of setting her books firmly in a place, in this case the location is on the coast of North East England, where Bilgewater (a corruption of Bill's daughter) lives. A beautifully written coming of age story and very much to my taste.

Thank you very much, Zylpha. It was good to see you this morning, thanks for the coffee and the books! As you know, I love Jane Gardam's novels so was delighted to bring home one I'd not yet read!

A growing up story - but first published in 1976 so the growing up is taking place in quite a different time from the present ....
I love Ms Gardam's writing style. I wouldn't say that this was one of her best, it's very much one of her early ones, but impressive all the same!

To treee-hugger who appreciates a well-written coming-of-age tale!

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Thanks for passing this on Nu-Knees.

I read this a few months back. Sorry I kept it so long. It was a good coming of age story about a memorable misfit.