This debut novel offers an emotional exploration of a woman’s life as she grows up in a dysfunctional family in pre-1994 Johannesburg.
The story unfolds through the lens of Laine as an adult trying to make sense of her failed marriage and the unexpected arrival of a neighbour’s child.
Her chain-smoking and self-centred mother contrasts with her kind but passive father. The presence of a younger brother is downplayed while the live-in domestic worker, Dora, becomes the mother figure Laine yearns for.
The dynamics of Laine's childhood set the stage for her struggles in adulthood, particularly in her ill-fated marriage in Cape Town.
Choritz masterfully crafts the characters, making them vivid and relatable. She tackles serious topics of pain and trauma while incorporating local historical issues and universal experiences of life, love, loss and hope.
Her writing style creates a deceptively light touch, making the book engaging and easy to read.
The presence of birds, both real and imagined, adds a symbolic layer to the story that provides comfort and reflection for the characters.
At times the frequent shifts between past and present are challenging but the skilful storytelling does not deter from what is a tender, touching story peppered with humorous moments and ultimately delivers a sense of redemption and healing.