The novel is a captivating exploration of history and self-discovery, centered around a 14-year-old girl named Clare who lives with her elderly aunts in a Victorian house in Oxford. As Clare uncovers a mysterious tribal shield in the attic, she becomes engrossed in the history and culture of Papua New Guinea, leading her to reflect on her own identity and the passage of time. The story weaves together themes of memory, heritage, and the impact of the past on the present, as Clare navigates her adolescence amidst the echoes of history contained within the walls of her home.
The 6456th greatest book of all time
Penelope Lively is the author of many prize-winning novels and short-story collections for both adults and children. She has twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize: once in 1977 for her first novel, The Road to Lichfield, and again in 1984 for According to Mark. She later won the 1987 Booker Prize for her highly acclaimed novel Moon Tiger.
Her other books include Going Back; Judgement Day; Next to Nature, Art; Perfect Happiness; Passing On; City of the Mind; Cleopatra’s Sister; Heat Wave; B…Read more
