Press

What the critics say

As the characters battle for possession of Christabel, Margaret Forster catches every note and nuance of good intention, misplaced motive and downright selfishness-a remarkable achievement
- Financial Times

Forster has the essential capacity to see everyone's point of view, whether it is the social workers who resent the upper-middle class assumptions of Christabel's grandmother, Isobel's lover who believes she should adopt the child, or Christabel's foster-mother Betty-in that territory of dread and reconciliation which is the family, Forster reigns supreme
- Guardian

Poignant, impeccably written-especially heart-rending because it is so believable
- Company

Motherhood is taken out, held up to the light and given a vigorous shaking-a book with impact
- Times Literary Supplement

Enticingly written-a compelling read
- Time Out