Regatta

This book surprised me - a great work by Libby Purves. REGATTA is totally readable with an interesting story revolving around a few families. The central character is Anansi, an abused and abandoned coloured girl who is being fostered by Sheila. The presence of the eleven-year old Anansi in the small town rocks the world of its residents and changes lives. The girl herself undergoes some transformation as she becomes an unwilling part of the place and people. She grows close with a kindly old man who previously served in military, and he taught her how to sail. REGATTA is beautifully told rich with love, conflict, deceit, unfaithfulness, and reconciliation. This is a story that touches me and engages me until the very last page. Like I said earlier, it is surprising good!