The book starts off on a yawningly slow note but picks up a little bit of speed once the ‘incidents’ in Bettina’s past & present take place. The author has contributed to the slow pace with the language – instead of using simple English (like he normally does), he has used colloquial words and phrases. This is irritating esp. the use of Aussie terms by some of the characters. There is a parallel depiction of Bettina’s past and present.Some discrepancies:1) The ending is totally unconvincing - as if Barnard was just interested in giving a shock to the readers. The revelation is inconsistent with Bettina’s character. Why would she stay quiet about the attacker?2) How can she give up her baby as if it’s a toy, however much she didn’t want it? Moreover, how did her father and aunt readily agree to this decision? This was in the 1940’s and all this for a literary career??3) And why does Katie Jackson become Katie Johnson in the 16th chapter?
