Astrid is the daughter of the brilliant poet Ingrid Magnussen, a gorgeous and distant woman who has travelled all over the world. When Astrid is 12 years old, Ingrid goes to prison for murder, leaving her in a series of foster homes, each with their own rules, their own lessons to be learned. The story chronicles her life through age 18, her journey always returning to the same question of how to escape her mother's influence, and whether she really wants to after all. On the surface, this sounded like the sort of book I'd read to pass the time, with more interest in having read it than actually reading it. I was mistaken. Utterly. I was completely sucked in, to the point where I was thinking about it during the times I couldn't read, and had trouble putting it down during the times when I could. I read it for my entire five-hour flight from Nevada; I can't remember the last time I found a book so engrossing. I just had to know what happened next, what new mentor Astrid, so used to being told what to do and how to think, would choose. I don't know that I would necessarily call this book "exciting," but it certainly was a page-turner for me. Beyond the story, the language was intense, beautiful, and precise. I could picture it all. ( )

I didn't expect much, just another quick and easy read, but I can sincerly recommend this to anyone - and I have, I read this years ago and I stull memorise the experience. It's not a literary master-piece, but surprisingly well-written and touching. Amazing how much more sympathy I have for these characters than autobiographies by eg. Susanna Kaysen and Elizabeth Wurtzel. ( )

I'm not finished with this book yet, but I love it already. I was so excited to pick it up second hand for only a dollar!

I have lines from this book highlighted! I think that Janet Fitch is an incredible writer. I loved the book more then the movie and I read it the first time in about 3 days! Very good, true, gritty and just demanding on the heart! ( )

A passionate, hypnotic and dangerous novel about a daughter and her mother. Astrid has been raised by her mother, Ingrid a beautiful, headstrong poet. Astrid's world revolves around Ingrid; she forgives her everything. Until Ingrid murders a former lover and is imprisoned for life...

I picked this book up in a charity shop for 50p and boy am I glad! This is certainly the best book that I have read this year. The story spans five years in which Astrid tells her story as she is placed in foster care and struggles to maintain a relationship with her Mother.

It was very interesting to see how each of Astrid's foster Mothers and other influential characters, shaped her and made her into what she became.

Anyway, I highly recommend this. It is brilliant. This book is going into my permanent collection never to be given away, sold or shared :) ( )