First novels about childhood don't come more erudite or thrilling than this. Haddie Ashton, aged 13, is embroiled in a summer holiday full of mystery, tragedy and learning the "A" section of the encyclopaedia (thus we get potted discourses on Agorazonta, Alcibiades and Animism delivered in a refreshingly wondering, childlike tone). But, together with her wilfully eccentric best friend, Louis Lewis, she gets up to more nefarious deeds- -cat-burgling, for instance, and exploring an empty, neighbouring house. Thirteen years ago, from the top storey of this sinister mansion (once occupied by a Hollywood mogul) her older sister fell to her death. Haddie is convinced that there was more to this fatal leap than accident, and part of her rites of passage is to uncover the truth. Along the way, though, Cleminshaw injects some social comedy as Haddie is sent to Charm School to acquire the poise of a self-assured woman. Where Cleminshaw excels is in detailing the endearing gaucheries of an adolescent as she emerges, albeit reluctantly, into adulthood. And, although she sets the action in small-town Ohio, the story has a timeless quality that reproduces that infinite stretch of a summer holiday that we only experience as children. --Lilian Pizzichini

Talented author, annoying book, 21 Mar 2006
Cleminshaw has talent but this is very much a first novel. The narrator's tone wears thin pretty quickly--she doesn't seem 13 at all and isn't believable. On the other hand, her friend Louis Lewis (typical of the bad jokes in this book, that name) acts like he's about eight when he's supposed to be 16. In truth, not a single character rings true, including the character called "the bachelor" or Louis's totally contrived mother. And the melodrama of the last few pages comes off as just plain ridiculous.

All the facts crammed into this book make it soporific unless one's really hooked on mythology and, really, they're rather apropos of zilch. Ms. Cleminshaw's writing does, however, ooze style and I am sure she's got a better book in her.

It's a mystery, but you wouldn't know it, 03 May 2003
The book starts with an excerpt from a local newspaper: is it an epigraph, is it part of the story? In the end, you find out it's both, but it takes a while to get there, and the reader finds themselves becoming involved in all sorts of other mysteries on the way. The book is narrated by Haddie, a 13 year-old living in the shadow of her deceased sister, even possessing the same name. Naturally, this makes the identity crisis of adolescence even more painful than it already would be (one example is that when she once got lost in a store, and the tannoy announced her name, Haddie didn't move, because she thought they were calling her elder sister). The mysterious death of her sister haunts her life and her parents (who are significantly absent throughout the book). Most family information is given either through the family servant, a colourful character that I enjoyed, or Haddie's grandmother, by far the most sensible characer in the book, who tells Haddie to 'leave the past alone'. Advice that Haddie ignores, naturally, with eventually tragic consequences. Haddie's closest 'friend' is her neighbour Louie Lewis, more amoral than immoral, who is usually involved in one illegal scheme or another. Then there is his mother, Haddie's teacher from Charm School, French and unreachable, and the mysterious neighbour who moves into the abandoned Monroe house.

The story starts out as a slightly whimsical coming-of-age and progresses by way of the alphabet. The bits of information are both intriguing and disorientating as Haddie switches from escapades with Louie to musings about whatever new discovery she has made. Her sister, who has been held up as an unreachable ideal all her life, beautiful and destined for stardrom, is gradually revealed to be imperfect with a best friend even more disturbed than Louie. The mysterious neighbour turns out to be far more than he seems, providing a refreshing insight into Haddie's problems. At this point, I hoped that a reasonably happy ending might not be too far off. The ending is both tragic, but also has a sense of the inevitable, much like the Greek plays that Haddie becomes enamoured of.

If you want a novel that is mysterious, sinister, with VERY off-beat characters, you can do no better than this.

Read this!, 22 Jun 2001
I heard a review of this book on Radio 4 late one night and it intrigued me. So much so that I bought the book - they raved about how interesting the author must be and how they wanted to meet her. After reading the book I would have to agree. I would love to know how her brain works to write a novel in a style that can only be described as 'beautiful'. I tried to think of something more adequately descriptive but that is the only word that comes to mind. The book itself is witty and refreshing and very hard to put down. I did feel that the last few pages went a little fast compared to the rest of the book but when I had time to reflect afterwards I could see why. Perhaps I just felt robbed because I had finished the book so quickly! I certainly won't hesitate to buy anything else that the author produces and I hope that she produces it soon!

Superb, start reading NOW!, 06 Feb 2001
This is a brilliant book, the moment that I closed the book at the end I was compelled to open it again at the beginning! I could not resist the urge to read long chunks of it out to anyone who would listen to my rambling. I found the etiquette classes particularly amusing and Haddie's musings deeply interesting. This is a unique book and I hope that others enjoy it as much as I have!!

A compelling, unique, totally engaging book, 08 Dec 2000
From the moment you begin reading this book you are transported into the childhood of a young girl growing up in a small town. It evokes strong memories of how we think and act as children, caught between rebellion and security. The writing is so unique, so smart, so compelling that you savor every word, every concept. I found myself entering the world of the characters, leaving behind the present world, and simultanously being astonded at the beauty and complexity of the words and the ideas on the written page. This is the most beautifully written,compelling, and unique book. It is a modern Catcher in the Rye. It is a classic story of our shared youth.