I really didn't think this book was going to be as good as it was. I loved how it started, fun and happy. Kids all playing in the summer with their funny but slightly crazy mum. Then as the book goes on it turns slightly sinister. Vivi is actually horrible, the worst kind of mother. She just gets worst as the book goes on. A very selfish character. The children explain what happens to them over the years. I felt very sorry for them. I would be interested in reading the secrets of the ya ya sisterhood just to see if there is anything in there that suggests why she is like that.