It is rare for me to be so deeply moved by a book, a book that puts feelings into words, feelings which I’ve never been able to clearly express myself. Several characters were opaque to the reader – until the end of the book when Evans removed our veils. Through their victories and defeats, Evans skillfully portrays the disparities that exist in England, where the class system and racism continue to hinder progress.

The chapter describing the morning divorced parents take their son to the hospital for surgery was so beautiful, so real, the experience transforming for the parents. Evans' style is sophisticated and the emotional geography of her novel is complex - without realising, as I read I was drawn into this family's quirks, bickering, wrong turns, kindnesses and tragedies and I might have been chatting with friends it was so real, recognisable.It includes complicated familial and romantic relationships, racism, and political and social issues with the Grenfell tragedy and other current events such as Harry and Meghan's wedding, Brexit and Boris Johnson's blundering in the background.

I loved the emotionally-charged writing and the complicated depictions of relationships (parents, children, siblings, spouses, friends and lovers) in turmoil and conflict (and some few but transcendent moments of joy). I liked the political dilemmas the characters faced as Blacks in London – as immigrants, as parents of Black boys, as caregivers to a cantankerous and abusive father, as parents to children with mental health and criminal justice issues, etc.There are several characters we need to keep track of, and it is often difficult to keep note of how they are related to one another. It gives a very in-depth look at families, love and what ties us together, without really having a main character, it allows you a peek into all members of the family, their relationships and dynamics. Ordinarily, I wouldn't mind picking up the second book without reading the first, but I think the backstory on some of these characters is important, and the author doesn't rehash any of it. Each character here is richly and deeply drawn…This is a novel that encourages us to stand in life’s burning doorways, and to think long before we walk away or walk through.