I read this when it first came out and absolutely loved it, so when I had the opportunity to re-read it I took it for two reasons: 1. to see if I still loved it and 2. to see if I could figure this book out.

Number 1. is still correct. I absolutely loved this book, reading it for I think the third or fourth time? But about six years since I last read it. The characters, the writing, the setting, I love all of it. Once again, I was completely sucked in, with no choice but to let Meg Rosoff take me on this story with her.

As for number 2... I still can't quite work out what this book is really about. I mean, what is the point that Rosoff is trying to make? Is it that a person is more than their gender? Is it that there are an infinite number of ways to love someone, but that we tend to put them all in neat little boxes? Is it that we all long for an escape from the lives we lead? Is it that we long to see ourselves through other people's eyes? Or was this going to be an LGBT+ book before she chickened out at the last minute?

I had hoped that re-reading this would give me the answers, and it didn't; if anything, I am just asking even more questions. But I still absolutely, 100% love this book. No doubt about it.