My Rating: 4.8
This is set in Kent, England in the 1950's...before there was DNA testing.
Jean is single and never been married. She works at a local newspaper and lives with her elderly difficult mother. She has a very small life with no likelihood of escape.
Gretchen contacts the newspaper in response to an article and claims that she has a 10 year old daughter, Margaret, as the result of an immaculate conception. Gretchen is now married to Howard who also believes that Margaret was the result of a virgin birth.
Jean is assigned to investigate and write the article for the newspaper. In the process, Jean befriends Gretchen and her family and her life becomes so entwined with the family.
I had to suspend my moral judgments and go with the story. This is such a tender and beautiful novel that captures Kent as well as all of their lives. All of the characters were so well developed with such exquisite writing. I found it all the more fascinating to know that this story was loosely based on true events. I definitely will be reading more by Chambers.
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