I've just finished the book, and I will need some time to figure out how i really feel about this - but I will agree with many of the points already made - I also do not like Vera particularly, though I kept telling myself to be more indulgent, as form the point of view of a girl brought up by Victorian parents, the turnaround of her life must have seemed absolutely impossible.
I also agree on the third part being the least compelling, though it did pick up for me toward the end - and poor George has all my respect. I am pondering whether I should have a go at Shirley William's memoir, to see what her mother was like from another perspective.
Most of all this was for me a feminist book, but like desertblues I also thought class does play a role - one passage which did shock me is
Quote:
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Though the three maids had been unoccupied all evening, not one of them offered to help me unpack or to get me a cup of tea, and I was far too much absorbed in my misery to ask them for anything
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So little Vera is upset and nees to be pampered? Having a fulfilling job is ok if you are educated and lucky enough to be born in a well to do family? I must wonder how close she really felt to the poor of London's East End...