This is the poignant story of Belle who travelled to the UK from Mombasa after her marriage to Fairfax, a friend of her parents. The narrator is Belle's daughter Mivvi and there are flashbacks through Belle's diaries.
Throughout her childhood, Mivvi is puzzled by the difficulties that her parents are facing. Things become clearer for Mivvi towards the end of the book when she meets her grandfather in Calcutta.
The novel is well-written but with Belle's illnesses and Fairfax's serial infidelities it is not an easy read. Although Belle is the focus of the novel, I would have liked some detail about Fairfax's background. He just seemed to arrive fully-formed, ready for the wedding.
The big reveal at the end of the book was a bit underwhelming and I felt there were still a lot of unanswered questions.
This novel would be a good choice for a bookclub as it offers much scope for discussion.
A promising debut novel. I hope to read more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Troubling for the child a mother misplaced and anxious the trials of growing up with added grief on her side. Doubtful itll get better for her with an over whelmed parent to look up to. A running monologue of what she faces.

Gripping page turner of a book, excellent writing,

Descriptions of the characters are second to none, you feel as if you get to know them personally. A daughters love for her father is tested when her mother falls ill with mental illness. Why will her father not help his wife?

This book grips you right until the end. Excellent debut novel.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.

This is a story that spans continents and follows the progress of one family and a very special love story - from its inception to its near disintegration - on a canvas thats spans Africa, Europe and Asia.

It is a story of shifting locations, complex family dynamics, clashing cultures and the coming of age of a young girl struggling to understand her troubled, charismatic mother. Despite the particularities of her situation, the difficulties that Mivvi faces in growing up without the kind of support that she needs from her mother Belle is something that will resonate with many.

This is a tender and touching story with a strong multicultural element, which will appeal to many readers. It gets 3. 5 stars.