I found this to be an excellent book. Probably that's mostly because I could relate so well to one of the main characters, the middle-aged, June. June's mother, Aggie, is 80 and, like my mother, is facing the reality that her last stage of life is beginning. June can't cope with her mother any more and is looking into putting Aggie in a nursing home. June's daughter Frances (who Aggie especially loves) is coming to visit. The story is mostly about the relationship between Aggie and June - in the past, now, and looking into the future. Both women have had short and unsuccessful marriages and are living with substantial regrets. Although Frances isn't present, she features prominently in the older women's memories and her impending visit is very much at the forefront of both June's and Aggie's thinking. The women's reflections on their past and the role of Frances in their relationship were very thought-provoking for me. The character and influence of Frances is realistically presented - in fact I thought the whole story was entirely plausible. The book finishes with uncertainty, just as the next chapter in my mother's life (and hence mine) is also rather unclear. ( )