It's impossible to be indifferent to the unquestioning love and trust between Clare and her little brother Thomas. They have a lot of joy and security in their lives but something is definitely out of kilter.
Mother Josephine and father Michael are often openly affectionate to one another but at times Josephine is moody and angry. The story of the young Josephine and Michael, meeting in London as migrant workers from Ireland in 1980, develops in a parallel thread.
The long-awaited first visit to meet the children's maternal grandparents in Ireland in 1997 is certain to bring the situation to a head. But that may not be a good thing.
This is a complex story and yet it flows easily, gradually untangling. There certainly are mysteries, secrets, spoiled relationships, frustrations, guilt and neglect. But there are also games and treats, love and caring. Throughout the scenes from Clare's point of view there is a real sense of presence as the child experiences everything (food, cuddles, travelling, the weather, animals, cousins, school, clothes, nightmares) with a sharp intensity.
Mother Josephine and father Michael are often openly affectionate to one another but at times Josephine is moody and angry. The story of the young Josephine and Michael, meeting in London as migrant workers from Ireland in 1980, develops in a parallel thread.
The long-awaited first visit to meet the children's maternal grandparents in Ireland in 1997 is certain to bring the situation to a head. But that may not be a good thing.
This is a complex story and yet it flows easily, gradually untangling. There certainly are mysteries, secrets, spoiled relationships, frustrations, guilt and neglect. But there are also games and treats, love and caring. Throughout the scenes from Clare's point of view there is a real sense of presence as the child experiences everything (food, cuddles, travelling, the weather, animals, cousins, school, clothes, nightmares) with a sharp intensity.