Borrowed Finery

Borrowed Finery (2001) by Paula Fox. From her youngest years, Paula Fox was passed around to strangers and members of her sprawling, strange family, because her parents couldn't, or wouldn't, take care of her. Through it all, Paula sought love where she could find it, most notably with the fatherly Uncle Elwood, a minister who took care of her for most of her early years. Her clothes were almost all hand-me-downs, giving rise, I suspect, to the title of this book. Borrowed Finery is somewhat episodic, and there seem to be some details left out, but what remains is an excellent read, a life story told with feeling and insight. Grade: B+