Anne Fine’s children’s novel deals with the theme of nature vs nurture - how every child is born equal and it is their surroundings and upbringing that contribute to their attitudes and actions (or is it). It tells the story of a childhood friendship between the protagonist Natalie and her eponymous friend Tulip, and the troubled life the latter encourages the former to lead. There are several sections of the text that are so shockingly twisted and horrific that they came as genuine surprises when I read them, but I think my overall impression is an underwhelming one. I understand why people like this book, but it lacked the character development and cathartic resolution that I feel is required in a novel dealing with these themes.