This novel seems to be constructed with a careful eye for foils and antithesis. This gives the book a spectral feel that invites the reader to locate themselves on several spectrums of emotional health. As the book portrays intimate confusions arising from parental neglect, abuse, and shame, the reader is invited to consider their own intimate childhood emotions. For any parents in the audience, Kate Atkinson has very specific opinions to offer about parenting. This comes with scrutinizing criticism for those who choose to treat themselves as more important than the children.
The portrait for abuse in this novel shows that the mother is more destructive than she can imagine with such poor empathy. If she would look in her daughter's eyes and smile, she would see that her daughter feels horribly about her own self. When a boyfriend of her mom's reminds Ruby that she repressed a memory about the death of her sister, a deconstruction occurs where Ruby begins to criticize her mother more specifically, with thematic effect.
Here is the dynamic which is seen in the plot: Parents who allow their children to internalize feelings of guilt or shame often do so to dominate them emotionally. In this case, that seems to be done because the mother does not want to be a parent, and by making her child scared of disapproval or rejection, she ensures an easy journey for herself while condemning her daughter to spiritual torment that is only explained when Ruby finally talks about her childhood with Patricia. The hope in this novel comes from Ruby's demonstration: She chooses what family means to her, demoting her mother to a position without authority, prioritizing the opinions of those who actually love her.
