A selection of beautifully-written essays recounting episodes from William Boyd's childhood. He was born in the 1950s in Ghana where his father worked as a doctor. His early memories tell of his childhood days near Accra before he was despatched to public school back "home" in Britain. Boyd's reminiscences of public school accord very closely with his film "Good and Bad at Games" which captivated audiences back in the early days of Channel 4.

As with everything Boyd writes, these episodes are delivered in his crisp, flowing prose (I think that he is incapable of writing an ugly sentence!) and although very little happens, the reader feels utterly satisfied: in fact, I think that I would feel better even just for reading one of Boyd' shopping lists! ( )