This is an excellent book. Taking us through the childhood of a main character who we know will not live to adulthood, the story covers diverse topics, from humanity and animality, to femininity and the expected roles of women in the 1950s, to enthusiasm, difference and how much to sacrifice to fit in. Most of all, this is a funny book, brilliantly observed, and set in a fond, bleak, gothic rendition of the Scottish highlands. Try the first chapter - If you like it, and you probably will, then the rest of the book will not disappoint.

Some pacing issues and an abrupt ending pull this back from 5 stars for me, but I would still strongly recommend this book to anyone.