It's been very interesting reading everyone's comments. I must admit that I started off with the school stories, bought in the paperback editions, and I was initially very frustrated by not knowing what had happened in between. Wondering about things like the abrupt change between 'Patrick as Nicola's friend' to 'Patrick and Ginty', Nicola's 'windfall', puzzled by what on earth had gone on with The Idiot Boy ...

I suppose they are not serious matters, but it did puzzle me, and I was very pleased to fill in the gaps. I think my favourites of all the books are Run Away Home and the Ready Made Family, closely followed by Peter's Room ... I think I enjoy the family dynamics when they are all around.