When 10 year old Jas's brother dies in an accident, her parents are absorbed by their grief and she and her two remaining siblings are left to deal with things in their own way. Compelling reading but this is dark, dark, dark and very disturbing - too dark for me, and I found some of the scenes distressing. I can see why it won the Booker prize as it's very well written and original. Come to think of it, years ago I read the whole Booker prize shortlist and they were all very dark/depressing books, so there's obviously a style they go for.

Chosen by mcsar from First Sentences VBB round 21.

Interesting. Can't wait to read this book with the intriguing opening line, "I was ten and stopped taking off my coat."