Summertime (by Charlotte Bingham)

(Amazon UK link)

I have mixed feelings about Charlotte Bingham's novels. Some of them are light satire which I can't quite get into, others are deeper with more interesting characters. So I tend to pick them up second-hand, or when they're on special offer somewhere.

'Summertime' features a young woman called Trilby, who lives with her loving father and unpleasant stepmother. In free moments, she draws cartoons for the amusement of her neighbours.

When a newspaper tycoon sees and admires the cartoons, then falls in love with her, she escapes from her family - only to find that her new husband keeps her almost like a doll. She has little to do, and is unable to go out anywhere by herself.

A nervous breakdown leads to the relaxing of her security, and - inevitably - she meets someone else.

A moving book, with a dramatic climax. But I was a little disappointed that the final chapter leaves rather too many unanswered questions.

Not one I'm likely to read again.