Oleander, Jacaranda

Penelope Lively

This book is the precursor to A House Unlocked. It contains childhood memories of the author's early life in Egypt, but is more about what childhood is like. She suffers a severe cultural shock when she is sent back to England. It is beautifully written.
Doreen 3/11/02

A beautifully observed autobiographical work about Lively's childhood in Egypt. Evocative descriptions of scenes from her childhood along with an adult perspective of the politics of the time. Recommended.
Jean 19/1/03

By the same author

A House Unlocked
Beyond the Blue Mountains
City of the Mind
Heatwave
Moon Tiger
Spiderweb
The Photograph

The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.