Published: 1999, Virago Genre: Fiction Themes: Lives of women, mother daughter relationship, love, survival My rating (out of 5): ❤❤❤❤❤ If you have anything else that you really ought to be doing, such as: sleeping, caring for children, going to work or providing meals, I suggest you don't even attempt to read this book. As soon as you start reading, it will suck you under and you will be lost in its depths until the school rings and asks if you are considering picking up your children today. At the top level, the book is about the extraordinary relationship between young Astrid and her mother Ingrid, but as the story progresses it becomes clear that this book is really about what it means to be a woman. Every aspect of female life is examined through the various characters, who range from those living in great comfort to those who scratch a living by whichever means they can. In every life story there is a mix of good and bad, and those we mig...