Charity Brown is the youngest of a family belonging to a Christian Sect that believes in everything the Bible tells them. At 14, she is beginning to question in her own mind if all of this is true, and she wants to discover the meaning of life - a tall order for a 14 year old. We get inside her mind remarkably. As this story is written by one who has been through much the same circumstances, it is a particularly interesting read. Elizabeth Laird had a similar upbringing with three older siblings who had already gone through much she experienced, and her family also had bought a large house on a hill in London where they were dedicated to helping those in need and living the lives their sect had dictated. The sect in the story, The Lucasites, is a made-up name, but the situations are very real indeed. In the beginning of this long novel, there is a description from Charity about her experience with having Polio the year before and having to be in hospital for a long time. This is vividly remembered in detail, and it has left Charity with a weak leg and arm, which she tries hard to help with exercises. She is devoted to spreading the Lucasites' ideas and has put off school mates by her 'spreading the gospel'. Determined to 'witness', she comes over as prim and difficult, leading to bullying and laughter. The sect is an enclosed situation, keeping much to themselves and really staying within their own friendship group, supporting each other lovingly. Charity's parents are very convinced in their beliefs, but they also recognise that their children must make their own decisions as they grow. Sometimes this has dire consequences as when the older brother comes home one night drunk. His parents are shocked and sad, but know that he must make his own decisions. As time goes on and Charity questions more and more about her beliefs, she is torn about what she should do. She and the girl next door, Rachel, have become close friends and the two girls learn much from each other. Rachel is Jewish, although not practicing, and her family are from Austria, having escaped during the War, losing many family members; she, too, questions many things about her own upbringing. Both families are loving and caring, and they intermingle happily, accepting each other as they are. While the sect is a major part of the story, Charity's parents are very devoted to helping the sick and the poor and anyone who is in trouble, so their beliefs are very much reflected in their lives. Both Rachel and Charity find their parents highly embarrassing at times, but all the members of these two families are recognisably good people who do their best. When Charity finally decides to become baptised into the faith, her parents are delighted, and while she still has doubts, and probably always will, we don't know whether she will stay a Lucasite or go in another direction. We know, though, that she will always have a loving and supportive family. A brilliant novel from a seasoned author who has written many such, this one covers an unusual subject with great clarity and beauty.