Book Reviews – Allegra in Three Parts

Allegra in Three Parts By Suzanne Daniel

This is the story of 11-year-old Allegra. Her life is continuously challenged with the family that loves her, but do not speak to each other. She spends her time trying not to upset anyone and wonders about her deceased mother, who no-one talks about. One grandmother is a hard working machinist, who loves to grow vegetables and cook. She wants Allegra to be a doctor.  Next door is her other grandmother, who is a free-spirit. She is heavily involved with the women’s movement, loves to grow flowers and keeps her tears in bottles. Her father is living above the garage and is not given any say as to how to raise Allegra. I enjoyed this book as it was filled with funny, sad and uplifting moments – a window on life in the 70s.