Although this is a piece of fiction, the postscript makes it clear that it is based in the author's own childhood and was written as such. It is therefore very easy to imagine the type of life Smith had growing up in what we would today consider abject poverty but with the love and support of her family. It is astounding, really, the resilience but also the innocence of the time, marked by hard work, precarious conditions and community. It's a wonderful coming of age story but also testimony of the time which was as changing as it is today.

This copy was found in my building's library

in the library