What Maisie Knew

The genius of this story about an acrimonious divorce lies in its being told from a little girl's point of view. Touching and insightful, it is a hilariously acerbic observation of a refined form of child exploitation and neglect. Upon their divorce, little Maisie finds herself of interest to her parents only as a means of expressing their mutual hatred for each other.

She finds herself often having to feign stupidity in order to spare the grown-ups around her from the awkward situations and conflict they have themselves engendered, and time and again, James shows us how the wisdom of childhood can often supersede that of adulthood. This is a must-listen for anybody - child or grown-up - involved in divorce or its aftermath.

Public Domain (P)2020 Magda Allani