Changes

I almost passed on reviewing this book. I'm not sure why, because it's got a gorgeous cover and I love a road trip. Thank heavens I didn't because I thoroughly enjoyed it - in fact, I shed a tear or two at the end. The Rat is a gorgeous central character. She's utterly original - while the combination of naughtiness and sassiness is nothing new, in fact, we can all recognise it in our own children, the ambiguity and mystery about her visions and her illness are things I don't recall ever seeing before. Told from the point of view of her hapless brother Bob, we can really feel the mixture of exasperation and admiration this singular little girl arouses in others. There's a true bond of love between these siblings and it really does tug at your heartstrings.

It's funny, it's wise, it's beautifully writternwritten. It's not afraid of a bittersweet ending, and it came at me completely from left field.