This book covers 3 generations of the maternal line of the Bawtry family of Breaseborough, England starting at the turn of the 20th century. The time periods shift from generation to generation, back and forth, from grandmother to granddaughter to mother etc. The story focuses on how behaviors and tastes are passed on genetically and are perhaps inescapable and are encoded into our DNA. It also suggests that it may be possible, with much effort and through mutation, that one may be able to break out of the 'genetic mold' and to create a self-determined path.

This book is excellently written. The characters are very well described and developed. The only difficulty I had was in the point of view the story was told from. It changed not only from generation to generation but from first person to third person to a narrative. It made it slightly difficult to transition from, but was only a minor issue. Overall, this was a great read.

Released on Sunday, July 14, 2002 at Breaking New Grounds, Market St. in Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA.

On window table in front of shop.