Truly surprised by this novel and how much I related to it. When I began it, I definitely did not think I would relate to Annie John, a 12 year old girl growing up in Antigua in the Carribean in the last century. But here's what holds true about this story, as you see Annie grow up from a pre-teen through a teenager: her relationship with her mother. I've read a lot of attempts of people trying to evoke that relationship between a daughter and her mother - and how the view of your mother shifts and changes as your own adolesence sends you through a gamut of emotions. It's a loving relationship, but there are those emotions I've never read captured before until now. I think that there are exceptions, but for the most part, this is a truly great piece of writing about a mother/daughter relationship.