Oooo, how frustrating! Yet, how engaging!This tragic story has three narrators and spans almost 80 years. The three voices braid together to tell a story of jealousy, betrayal, and maybe madness. I say "maybe" as I'm left unclear on whether there was madness to begin with, or whether madness was induced, or even whether there was madness, at all! Much of the story is told in a sort-of stream of consciousness style, jumping from one thought to another, as the mind does. I found it beautiful, but could see that some readers might find it annoying. The author displays meticulous attention to the smallest details of thought and behaviour, particularly of children, and to the social concerns of middle class in the 1930s.
But....it was over long before I wanted to be done with Esme, Iris, and even Alexander. I want, yet fear, to know whether their future will be as tragic as their past.