This was a hard read for me at times. Not because the story was boring but because the detail was so graphic. For example when Josephine, as a child has her teeth chiseled down by her father, using an actual chisel, because they couldn't afford the dentist, my god that sent my teeth right on edge! This story is about a mother and daughter and the relationship between the two. Josephine's (mother) past haunts her through her adult life and taints the relationship she has with Clare (daughter). Josephine mistreats both her children but especially Clare, in trying to protect Clare from life and men, she actually teaches her to become body conscious and passes on some.of her own issues along the way. Josephines mental problems result in a very toxic relationship with her very down trodden husband Michael, how he put up with it all god only knows! You are transported back in time to when Josephine was a little girl and are taken through step by step her harrowing experiences. As a reader you become emotionally involved, you feel her pain, her anguish, her frustration. The way she then goes on to treat her daughter makes you want to save Clare from this awful situation. Literally put your hand inside the book and drag her out. I highly recommend this book, a great if not sad story where past meets present.