thoroughly good read

As the years pass, Augusta becomes increasingly unhappy with her lot and feeling second best to her sister, she just wants to run away and escape the hum drum life in which she feels forced to live. In contrast, Parfait, still haunted by his past, would have loved a boring, yet comfortable hum drum life with those he loved, and not to have been forced to escape his home in fear of his life.

The juxtaposition between their worlds is glaring, yet touching. By the time adulthood has approached them, tragedy has struck both Parfait and Augusta hard, and as the years go by, their worlds cross and pass but will they ever stop and see each other, and if they do, what will they see in their very different worlds?

Augusta is an unsettled, chaotic soul. She is flawed and gets a lot wrong, but is well-intentioned and determined. Her story is one of feeling like you don't fit in, loss, grief and ultimately optimism and grabbing hold of life with both hands.

Exceptionally well written, this book hangs around in your mind after you've finished reading it. So beautiful and emotive is Joanna Glen's writing, I was surprised to find out that this book is her debut novel and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.