The character of Peter was particularly well portrayed although once the point had been made that he was a flambouyant, precocious, self-deluded and barely believable teenager, he did (in common with the other main characters) become rather repetitive.

You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. Yes, it was funny, but it was also sometimes touching, sometimes poignant, and even thought provoking. I ask you, how was she ever supposed to make anyting of herself with that ghastly moniker as her albatross?It’s hard to really pinpoint Dora’s story, apart from it perhaps being one of simple teenage life in all its hideousness and melodrama.

Combined with the fulfilment of a recklessly wonderful dream at the end, this left me warmly reaffirmed at the end.I really enjoyed this novel and I think it was a great debut outing for Dawn French into the world of fiction.