Almost English arrived- I didn't acknowledge its receipt as I didn't know where I had won it from! I have just finished reading it. I found it a bit difficult to get into, mainly because of the dialogue and the change of character/scene without a quick reference to what was happening. It was not a book to read quickly, as every word was important, and I found my concentration faded after a few chapters. The descriptive style of places and people was excellent. I felt a bit impatient with the girl to start with, then remembered my own adolescence, when I struggled for identity - not from an alien culture, but from the alien further education system,- from a working class background. I'm pleased it had a happy ending!