One of the permanent masterpieces of childhood, comparable with David Copperfield, What Maisie Knew and the early reminiscences of Colette" (New York Times Book Review). In this family chronicle set at the turn of the century, and the most autobiographical of Powell's novels, young Marcia Willard's family struggles to keep up with the changing times and Marcia endures disillusionment and cruelty to forge a survivor's sense of independence.