A review by belovedsnail
Crusoe's Daughter by Jane Gardam

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'm giving this book 5 stars, but I am sure it is not really a perfect book. There are too many jagged edges for that. It punched a hole in me, however. I identified with Polly to the point where it hurt, even though our lives have been so different. There was something in her I recognised. If I had read it as a young woman, however, I am sure I would have pushed it away with horror. There is something in here about endings we can never imagine. Stories which never work out as we expect. Promise, unrealised dreams, alcohol. I have only read one other by Gardam before (Old Filth) and while I admired it, it did not have this impact.