No End to Yesterday

The injustices and mental cruelties suffered by Marjory during her 1920s' childhood are conveyed in some of the best writing for teenagers there is available. They should pass it on to their mothers who will find it just as powerful.

Marjory believes her mother is dead, and her father is a weekend visitor to the house full of relatives where the whole family is dominated by a rigid Victorian grandmother. Gran's malicious attempts to destroy Marjory's individuality makes her an outcast drifting on the sea of life.

Because of her intelligence and basic warm humour, Marjory is a survivor. Subtle glimpses into her adult life add an extra dimension to some perceptive characterisation. So moving is this story, it was no surprise to find it is based on truth --- her own mother's childhood. Winner of the Whitbread Literary Award.