A review by flogigyahoo
God on the Rocks by Jane Gardam

5.0

Jane Gardam's books are a treat. She is funny, she is wicked, she is smart and oh so sly. I felt this when reading her wonderful book, Filth and its sequel, and I felt it now, reading God on the Rocks. The story begins innocently enough being told from the point of view of Margaret, an 8 year old, whose mother lavishes her attentions on her new baby brother. Her father is strict in his strange faith and preaches to all and sundry. Margaret can quote chapter and verse of every biblical saying. The fun begins when Margaret is given the treat of a day outing with the nanny, Lydia, and both end up on the grounds of the Hall, once the home of Charles and Binky and where Margaret's mother, Ellie, was schooled, adored Charles and he her, but is now a home for mental patients. The story moves to Ellie, we learn that Charles and his sister have after 12 years returned to town, but not to their old home where their mother is dying, and the plot as they say thickens. A lot of hanky-panky, a few absolutely hilarious English teas, various weird and slightly mad characters all meeting and parting--all under the finely controlled pen of Jane Gardam.