My Relations

A CHARMING PROFILE OF AN IMAGINARY FAMILYFrom the author of Aunts Up the Cross (Text, also forthcoming April 2016) comes a unique reproduction of Robin Dalton's childhood portraits of her imagined relatives. 'I have an aunt whose single-blessedness has soured her to the world. Aunt Alenia, like many other unmarried ladies, is always trying to bring up her sister's children. Unfortunately I am an only child, so that she may lavish all her care and affections upon me. I am sure Aunt Alenia must have been a model of good behaviour in her childhood. I always dread her visits, for no matter how well I behave she always finds fault with me. She means well, I am sure, but she doesn't mean much. She is dear, good, lady, but I often wish she had some children of her own.'In 1929 an eight-year-old child, who had very few relations, imagined an assortment of eccentric aunts, uncles and cousins. She wrote and illustrated a little book about them, which her grandmother kept. Now, nearly 90 years later, this whimsical and oddly touching collection sees the light of day. Complete with original illustrations and some facsimile pages, MY RELATIONS is a perfect gift for yours.