Essentially, each of these three stories is a portrait of a lone, misfit woman lost in a sea of people (they all live in either London or Paris). Each woman struggles with feelings of imprisonment and being misunderstood – whether that be because of race (Selina’s case), illness (Inez), or war (Audrey). All three live lives either tinged or awash with poverty.

Rhys, then, adroitly addresses the issues of prejudice, racism and difference, much as she did in the Wide Sargasso Sea, and she carries it off with considerable aplomb. These are touching, desperately sad stories which will break your heart, and yet, do not leave you without some sort of hope. I loved this slip of a book, and I know that you will too. Buy, read, enjoy.