Anita goes home after a few years of absence. Her Dad is dead, her Mum that she carefully avoided is away on a cruise. At home is Beth, her elder sister… and a burden of childhood memories. These souvenirs include a twin sister who died, abuse, love stories, rivalry. And at the end, redemption and forgiveness. This book is part of the series “Black Britain : Writing Back series” curated by Bernardine Evaristo to bring back into circulation lost black writers. It’s the first book I read in this series. Multiple timelines and several names for the same character confused me a little at some points, but the story is beautiful and poignant.
“- So I’ve got a duty to her. I owe her something.
– Yes ! Yes, you do. Dette was scandalized. Honour your mother and father… “
– But what about the duties that parents owe their children ? …
…- It’s an old cliché, but think about it for a minute, Beth continued. Children don’t ask to be born. They don’t decide to be here, they don’t have any choice. How can they owe anything ?…
– This is in the Bible also. Beth looked at Dette. “As you sow, so shall you reap.” If you don’t invest real love and attention and respect… Yes, respect for your children ! It’s a two-way street you know. Our parents can’t expect it without earning it.”