Introducing England's most eccentric family . . .
The Birds, the Bees and Other Secrets
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'Garrood's thoughtful prose tells the story of an extraordinary girl's passage to womanhood.' -- The Big Issue in the North and The Big Issue Cymru
'This is a delightful book, combining some emotional issues with humorous comments and moments.' -- BCF Reviews
'This is a delightful book, combining some emotional issues with humorous comments and moments.' -- BCF Reviews
Review
'This is a delightful book, combining some emotional issues with humorous comments and moments.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Growing up in the sixties, Cassandra has a rather unorthodox home life. Her mother is a single parent, falling in and out of various jobs, and sharing her home with many interesting characters. She has a tendency to treat Cassandra as a friend, rather than a daughter, and yet their relationship is generally a happy one, always full of love.
Cassandra has to deal with an episode of abuse, that stays with her as she grows, and also being sent to boarding school. This is somewhere that she initially does not want to go to, yet grows to enjoy it's security. The story continues throughout her differing careers, and the relationship she finally settles into.
The story is told as Cassandra sits besides her mother, who is dying from cancer, as she reflects back on the life they've shared. Their relationship is a heart warming one, whilst remaining realistic.
This is a delightful book, combining some emotional issues with humorous comments and moments. It's easy to read, and kept me turning the pages, wanting to know what would come next. The various characters are well written, and have stayed with me. As well as exploring various relationships, especially the one between Cassandra and her mother, it also explores the effect that different experiences can have throughout life, be them minor or major.
Cassandra has to deal with an episode of abuse, that stays with her as she grows, and also being sent to boarding school. This is somewhere that she initially does not want to go to, yet grows to enjoy it's security. The story continues throughout her differing careers, and the relationship she finally settles into.
The story is told as Cassandra sits besides her mother, who is dying from cancer, as she reflects back on the life they've shared. Their relationship is a heart warming one, whilst remaining realistic.
This is a delightful book, combining some emotional issues with humorous comments and moments. It's easy to read, and kept me turning the pages, wanting to know what would come next. The various characters are well written, and have stayed with me. As well as exploring various relationships, especially the one between Cassandra and her mother, it also explores the effect that different experiences can have throughout life, be them minor or major.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a really quirky novel but beautifully written. At times it is very funny, and at other times, very sad. So many emotional issues are covered in the story, yet it is never heavy, or dry or boring.
The novel starts with Cassandra sitting at her dying Mother's bedside, and then goes back to the early 60s and recounts their life together. Their family life was very unusual for the time, in that Cassandra's mother was a single mother with two children, both by different men, neither of who were known to the children. Cassandra and her brother Lucas had quite a bohemian upbringing, their mother was quite eccentric and often suffered from bouts of depression. She also gathered waifs and strays and their home was full of different characters throughout their childhood.
Cassandra recounts her feelings towards her mother, how she felt different to her peers, how often life was a struggle. One particular event that happens to Cassandra has a profound effect on the rest of her life, and shapes her life decisions and somewhat alters her feelings for her mother. Every so often there is a chapter that brings the story back to the present day and the reader is reminded that this is not going to be a happy ending.
I really enjoyed this story of family relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and also the 'love story' element which is neither sentimental nor contrived.
The novel starts with Cassandra sitting at her dying Mother's bedside, and then goes back to the early 60s and recounts their life together. Their family life was very unusual for the time, in that Cassandra's mother was a single mother with two children, both by different men, neither of who were known to the children. Cassandra and her brother Lucas had quite a bohemian upbringing, their mother was quite eccentric and often suffered from bouts of depression. She also gathered waifs and strays and their home was full of different characters throughout their childhood.
Cassandra recounts her feelings towards her mother, how she felt different to her peers, how often life was a struggle. One particular event that happens to Cassandra has a profound effect on the rest of her life, and shapes her life decisions and somewhat alters her feelings for her mother. Every so often there is a chapter that brings the story back to the present day and the reader is reminded that this is not going to be a happy ending.
I really enjoyed this story of family relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and also the 'love story' element which is neither sentimental nor contrived.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By P. Clements
Format:Hardcover
The Birds, the Bees and Other Secrets chronicles the haphazard upbringing of Cassandra by her rather wayward and scatty mother.
That for all her characterful mother's foibles: two children born out of wedlock, the fathers of whom she remains unsure; no respect for school protocol - sending her daughter to school with the wrong coloured gym pants because they were "cheap, and good quality"; and Cassandra's frequent lament, "I wish I had a normal mum", mother and daughter have a strong and indelible bond.
The story is a retrospective account of their life together as Cassandra's mother lies dying from cancer. It's a look back by the daughter at the colourful and eccentric person her mother was and that however unconventional and frustrating her parenting might have been, it made her who she is today.
A very enjoyable read and fabulous illustration of a mother/daughter's unshakeable love through all manner of ups and downs.
That for all her characterful mother's foibles: two children born out of wedlock, the fathers of whom she remains unsure; no respect for school protocol - sending her daughter to school with the wrong coloured gym pants because they were "cheap, and good quality"; and Cassandra's frequent lament, "I wish I had a normal mum", mother and daughter have a strong and indelible bond.
The story is a retrospective account of their life together as Cassandra's mother lies dying from cancer. It's a look back by the daughter at the colourful and eccentric person her mother was and that however unconventional and frustrating her parenting might have been, it made her who she is today.
A very enjoyable read and fabulous illustration of a mother/daughter's unshakeable love through all manner of ups and downs.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great READ!
This is a wonderful book for anyone who enjoys reading! I would highly recommend it if you like content of story with a bit of intelligent humour thrown in to keep it interesting. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Barbara Emmon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Certainly Not Disappointed!
Not that long ago, I read Frances Garrood's first novel, "Dead Ernest".
Last night, I finished reading her second novel, "The Birds, the Bees and Other Secrets". Read more
Last night, I finished reading her second novel, "The Birds, the Bees and Other Secrets". Read more
Published 9 months ago by Meks Librarian
5.0 out of 5 stars
An uplifting and moving novel
I loved this poignant and moving book filled with characters who come to life and leap off the page. It is beautifully and flawlessly written. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Joanna M. Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful read
An unusual relationship between mother and daughter provides the story for this beautifully written novel. Read more
Published on 18 July 2010 by Mrs. Judith Worham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful writing
I happened upon this novel by chance and I'm so glad I did. It's a beautiful story, full of humour and wit but sad and moving as well. Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2008 by J. Czechowska
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