Most of us enjoyed this biography about Laura Cumming's mother Elizabeth (aka Grace then Betty) Cumming, nee Elston. As the author unravels the story of her mother's life, through investigation and research, she narrates the tale a bit like a detective novel, piecing it together like a puzzle.  She uses her skills and expertise, as an art historian and journalist, to link the narrative in her mother's memoir to the few photos she discovers plus to the paintings that evoke particular connections. As someone commented this was a multi-faceted story, that reveals the family secrets as it slowly unfolds. Some of us found the style of writing too lengthy, unnecessarily so, but the repetition gave the author - and the reader -  pause for thought and reflection. 

We discussed the challenges of the time, specifically within our culture, where so many things were not spoken of or were deemed to be unacceptable, shameful or indeed plain sinful. The tragedy of Elizabeth's early life only really becomes clear as her daughter uncovers 'the truth' and as her mother turns ninety. We thought that perhaps Hilda Blanchard had given her illegitimate daughter, Grace, to her birth father, George Elston, to be brought up by him and his wife, Veda, who were unable to have a child of their own, to have a 'better life and future'. However, the true reason for this is unknown. The complexity of the various relationships, and the reasons for these, were central to this fascinating biography and Elizabeth's successful life and subsequent happy marriage were a truly positive outcome. 

As in many family histories much is unknown, we can only draw our own conclusions and speculate. An engrossing read!