It took me years to get around to reading this, and then when I did it took me years to finish. After about half of it, I left it alone for months; maybe it's because the fate of a baby and (later) a tiny tot don't interest me all that much. Nell became more interesting to me as she grew up.

The ending of this book can hardly be considered a surprise; the suspense is in how and when Nell and her parents will find each other eventually.
By the last third of the book I was finally in its grasp. It took a while but it did happen.

The voice of the narrator is very direct, and usually friendly and wise; she tells us the story the way a kind aunt might. Still, she can be sharp, too.

Not a great book, in my view. But well worth reading. ( )

Loved this - favourite Fay Weldon novel. ( )