12-year old Gwenni is a delight. Her innocence and curiosity give her wings for her nocturnal flights above her village. It is these flights that lead her down a road of dark family secrets, that will better her life.

Gwenni Morgan, the main character, is a young girl living in a Welsh-speaking village in North Wales. One of our group members had a similar up bringing and described this version of it as ‘Absolutely brilliant!’ She especially appreciated the recollection of Sundays with Chapel in the morning and Sunday School in the afternoon stating: ‘Mari has it absolutely spot on about this.’


One reader, who stopped reading the book very early on, said it seemed to be ‘whimsy’ and therefore had not interested her at all. She disliked the use of a present tense narrative and the contradiction of using sophisticated words in a ‘child’s voice’.

Conversely, the majority of us felt this was a compelling novel and reviewing it developed into a variety of lively discussions. This is our third book in succession about ‘odd’ people. The issue of mental illness and its being inherited, possibly through the female line, runs thoughout the narrative. Gwenni’s mother, Mrs Morgan, is obsessed with the idea that her neighbours will dub Gwenni ‘odd’ and conveniently ignores the fact that she, herself, is most peculiar. Everyone knows what goes on, but it is rare for someone to gossip publicly.



The villagers really have little choice, but to be integrated fully into the social and spiritual influences of their Church. Gwenni, however, seems more interested in knowing who made the egg sandwiches, because they are her favourites and they won’t upset ‘the family stomach’.


We discussed the 1950s era and how they were remembered as ‘dark’ times. Big families were normal, offering someone to confide in, but Gwenni has a poor relationship with her Mother and older sister. The kind-hearted, but misguided Mr Morgan dotes on his ungrateful, unstable wife. Gwenni escapes in daydream ‘flights of fancy’ from distressing realities.


Gwenni finds herself giving evidence to the police and is forced to do this in English. She is uncomfortable about it, because she cannot express herself as clearly as in Welsh. We discussed how Welsh language is so very much part of our local culture and not exclusive to North Wales. The incident reinforces the idea that she often finds herself stuck in an adult world, craving her childhood.


Average score was 6/10.