"The novel intricately weaves two timelines, revealing how Heron's terminal diagnosis prompts his daughter Maggie to uncover family secrets that reshape her understanding of her past."
"In 1982, Dawn's love for Hazel faces societal condemnation, resulting in a heartbreaking custody battle that highlights the prejudices against same-sex parents during that era."
"Miranda Raison's narration brings depth to the multiple voices in the story, enhancing the emotional weight of the characters' experiences and their struggles with identity and family."
"Lynch's inspiration stems from real-life cases of lesbian mothers separated from their children, reflecting on the evolution of societal attitudes and the possibilities for LGBTQ+ families today."
Claire Lynch's debut novel, awarded the Nero Gold prize, unfolds in two timelines. In 2022, Heron, facing terminal cancer, enlists his daughter Maggie to sort through family papers. Maggie discovers the truth about her mother Dawn's estrangement. The second timeline, set in 1982, depicts Dawn's love for a schoolteacher, Hazel, and the societal challenges they faced, leading to Dawn's separation from Maggie. The narrative reflects on changing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ parenting and the historical context of family court decisions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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