First published 1995
Carmel McBain's mother pushes her to excel, from scholarship to London University. But Carmel's hard-won success comes at a cost, severing her ties to family and faith. As she navigates the alienating world of higher education, Carmel must confront the loneliness of leaving her roots behind. Hilary Mantel's incisive coming-of-age tale exposes the sacrifices required to transcend one's social class.
Genres: literary-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, contemporary, family-drama, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water
Setting: England, London
Period: 20th-Century
256 pages · Hardcover · Viking