author of we are all completely beside ourselves

For instance I would have loved to have heard more from Rosemary's mother's viewpoint but this is definitely Rosemary's show. We don't get to know the other characters as well as we may want to. Rosemary comes to the gradual realisation that her childhood was one big experiment and so she has to come to terms with her father's betrayal while trying to forge a life that can't be normal. She's obviously been affected by the hole in the family as she and Fern were very close in age and relationship. One of the reasons for continuing is Rosemary herself. The only problem is that once the shock is out of the bag, the story loses a touch of momentum (so hopefully none of you will find out in advance) but there's still a fair bit going for it. Rosemary playfully suggests that readers may have spotted it but here's one who didn't. On page 77 the almighty revelation occurs that changes our perception.

The time frame jumps back and forth as this middle child, reveals the story piece by piece in an order designed for the greatest dramatic effect, leading to the now famous page 77. Karen also realises that this is a huge selling point and gently beckons us via Rosemary's first person narrative with hints and subtle suggestions that keep the pages turning. It may be light but for me the attraction is the intrigue about the circumstances that would make a small child disappear and encourage parents embrace silence on the subject as if she hadn't existed. (Both called The Jane Austen Book Club oddly enough.) It was therefore with great eagerness I cracked this novel open, described by Son Number 2 as one of the lighter Man Booker 2014 long-list offerings. Karen Joy Fowler is the American literary fiction/SF/fantasy author who made a best seller about a book club discussing Jane Austen which eventually spawned a film. As she grows to adulthood, Rosemary remembers trying to come to terms with this, the damage that being a daughter of a psychologist has wrought and the revealed secrets that will finally make sense of it all.

The knock on effect was the angry departure of Rosemary's older brother Lowell whom she also misses.

Curiously enough, her mother and father don't speak of it. Rosemary went to stay with her grandparents and, on her return Fern was no longer there. Rosemary's childhood is blighted by the disappearance of her sister, Fern. Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2014 A worthwhile way of spending an afternoon? Definitely, but enjoyment may be diminished if you know the twist beforehand. Summary: An intriguing tale of sibling and parental relationships that turns on an original twist.

Author of we are all completely beside ourselves