Another Penelope Lively jewel. A reflection on life, love, the seeming randomness of what happens to us, the role of memory, history, war, peace and all that makes us what we are for better or worse. Decidedly English middle-class if you like that sort of thing, which I do. Some of the characters seemed a tad sketchy and hard to tell apart. Nowhere near as good as "Moon Tiger" but an enjoyable read.