Such an astonishing book!

This book reminded me of F. Scott Fitzgerald's finer works, particularly The Great Gatsby. The friendship between Cecilia and young Martina was so aspiring, elegant and sophisticated. But beyond all doubt, it was so very warm and genuine. I saw this to be akin to the relationship between Nick Carraway and Gatsby, especially because of the tragedy, betrayal and loss.

Now enough comparisons, I can honestly confess that I have never read a book of this calibre before, and it was a welcomed surprise that I enjoyed it. It just goes to show that "it doesn't hurt to try something new". The book, was about a young girl (younger than fourteen years) struggling to find out who she is, this is especially exacerbated by the arrival of her twin siblings -The Calamities as she calls them, privately- I would think. Then with the tragedy of her father's death, and the onslaught of her mother's grief, she is overcome with the need to discover this sense of self, and simply, wake up in the mornings, and even keep her family united (her relationship with her mother quickly becomes strained). Consequently, when her grandfather, Brés, offers her a summer hideaway at the Dauncey Court she doesn't hesitate in taking him up on the offer.

It's at this manor that she meets Cecelia and other friendly, quirky (but much older) individuals. Cecelia was of the few from higher society, the type of woman who would go out of her way to invite someone to tea by sending cards and messages; holding soirées and all kinds of celebrations- very old-fashioned I'd say. Initially, I had thought that she would be snobbish, young, artificial and immature- I was grateful to learn that she was approaching eighty years! But her relationship was nothing like that of a grandparent with her grandchild- she respected the young girl and treated her as an equal, never scolding her, 'doing what is best for her'. I adored the bond they shared. But as every character has a flaw, hers was Luca- a young man who had taken an interest in her. Cecelia, being a vulnerable, bored widow, welcomes his attention. Luca is her undoing, she is generous beyond measure with him, and young Martina becomes infatuated with him too. This is all going on amidst floating rumours regarding Luca's true intentions with such an older woman.

As you can tell, there is much scandal involved, boundaries are tested and the truth comes out, as it always does. The writing style was remarkable, though I did initially find that it was progressing at a slow rate. For some readers, this may become a problem. But I became accustomed quite quickly to the pace, it made me anticipate the delivery of the truth more, whilst making it less predictable but not very unusual. A good combination of narrative, suspense, tragedy and acceptance. Because one has to speak of the ending, as it is inevitable that all good things come to an end, all I have to incredulously declare is: "Such injustice!"

I would personally recommend this to older readers, I know that the protagonist is a young girl but the language and writing style seems to make it clear that the tale is targeted at older people. Maybe a story for a grandparent to read to a grandchild? I can promise that it will not hurt you to give this novel a read.