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Ruth, Magda and Isabel want out of their small Long Island town. It’s the seventies and options are limited for ‘spirited’ girls. They dream of escape and their dreams come close to fruition - but only if they keep their heads. Read the reviews and you find a fairly even split of those who loved this book and those who didn’t. I’m in the first camp. Miller’s writing manages to be lyrical and hard edged, the intimate and complex world she creates for her characters is bold and audacious. She captures the period without fuss or over description but enough telling detail to draw you in. I found my heart in my mouth much of the time reading this. I identified with the girl’s frustrations, the dangers they put themselves in, their ambiguities about the life, town and people they want to leave. Maybe because I’m of a similar generation and grew up in the same period [although in sleepy rural Essex], but I think girls across generations will also recognise these struggles. The three central characters are compelling, all distinctly drawn and going through their own transformations, not always likeable, flawed but ultimately inspirational as free thinking and strong minded individuals facing life head on. It’s a visual, poetic, quietly clever, visceral and powerful novel. I can see director Sofia Coppola making it come alive on screen. Lost in Translation or Virgin Suicides comes to mind and fans of those films should definitely give this a read. 5 stars from me.

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