Persephone Books discussion

I read this last summer and loved it -- has anyone else finished it? What did you think?

I'm about halfway done! I really like it so far. I'll probably finish within the next week.

I read it earlier this year and enjoyed it a lot. I thought that Doreen was a very lucky evacuee in terms of the home that she was offered, but at the same time, most of the adults around her had their own ideas about what was best for her - often, it was what was best for them.

I thought it raised some interesting questions about what is best for children and the bond between a child and its natural (or earliest) parents.

Finally finished! I thought this was a really interesting story that raised a lot of questions. Would Mrs Rawlings have decided to take Doreen back with her if Doreen's father hadn't brought her home and expressed his views about Doreen's living situation? Was it a good idea for Mrs Rawlings to lie to Doreen about Edie's death at first? Will Doreen continue to have a relationship with the Osbornes?

I didn't think she should have lied about Edie! But I think telling 'white lies' to protect children from uncomfortable facts was much more common in those days.

I don't know about the other points. I just reread the end and it didn't sound as if Mrs R would let Doreen visit again. I don't think the Osbornes would write, either, in those circumstances. Perhaps when she was grown up?

This is definitely one of my favourite Persephone books. Wish there was a sequel! :)

Enjoyed it very much but found the end a bit sad...