Cristabel Seagrave is an unwanted orphan who grows into a young woman with no place in a traditional English manor. With her step-parents preoccupied with entertaining, Cristabel and her siblings, Flossie and Digby, scratch together an education from the plays they read in their freezing attic and eavesdropping on their parents drunken parties. But as the children turn into adults and war approaches, their lives are jolted on to very different tracks and it becomes clear that the roles they are expected to play are no longer those they want. As they find themselves drawn into the conflict, they must each find a way to write their own story.

I really enjoyed this unusual book. I could instantly tell that Joanna Quinn teaches creative language – the language is both highly descriptive and visual. It has a strong sense of time and place through the language used. The characters are alive and captivating – you want to be their friend. You are cheering for Cristabel hoping she succeeds and is the heroine of her own amazing story. She is an unforgettable character that will live on after you close the book.

Readers of war stories will enjoy this book. Readers of grand, lyrical and epic stories will love this book. The theme of playacting is cleverly explored throughout. Joanna Quinn’s debut novel is ambitious and interesting. I look forward to seeing what she writes next.

Reviewed by Nicola Skinstad

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