Summary

“Her Share of Sorrow” by Tessa Hadley tells the story of Ruby, a ten-year-old girl who is quite different from the rest of her family. Her mother, Dalia, is a former dancer and currently a psychotherapist. Her father, Adrian, administrates a theatre company. Her brother, Nico, is tall and handsome just like his parents. Because her parents and brother are so tall and good-looking, Ruby seems to be a bit awkward: she is fat and pale and does not seem to be interested in many leisure activities.

During a three-week holiday in France, Ruby’s parents are happy to discover that their daughter has finally managed to occupy her time doing something useful. Ruby spends her days in the attic of the holiday house, where she constantly reads 19th-centu...