Many years ago I read Saffy’s Angel, the first in the Casson Family series. In a review of that book I said that the Casson family is a family whose friend circle I hope would include me. They are a dysfunctional family, but dysfunctional in a wonderful way. After reading Permanent Rose, I deeply hope that I would be worthy of her personal friendship. Anyone who is lucky enough to pass Roses friendship test will have a fierce friend, indeed.
Permanent Rose, by Hilary McKay, has many satisfying subplots related to her just as fascinating siblings. The main plot deals with the now eight year old Rose dealing with the loss of one of those who earned her friendship, and the efforts of another boy to win her friendship—a boy she happens to loathe.
The friend she lost was actually a classmate and friend of her older brother. He was lucky enough to earn a place in the Casson friendship circle. Tom was from America, living for a time with his Grandmother in England. He became fast friends with Indigo and with Permanent Rose even though she was six years younger. When he left suddenly back to America due to an illness in the family, it was, to Rose, as if he had died. For unknown reasons he never wrote or called to give them his number and address. In this story, Rose is in mourning. Her grieving leads her to act out in worrisome ways that her family misses, but David doesn’t.
David was in a school gang who tormented the gentle Indigo mercilessly. David was a hooligan. As he put it when he thought of the things he had done to others, “I’m surprised no one died.” All of those things happen in a previous book, Indigo Blue. In this book David has a change of heart and seeks out friendship with Indigo. This is shocking to the Cassons, but Indigo being Indigo allows David a place even against the advice of his siblings—especially Rose.
With all the other interesting things that happen in this book, the core story revolves around the development of Rose and David’s relationship. If Rose is a fierce friend, she is a fiercer enemy. I found myself deeply touched as David comes to know himself through the eyes of Rose. This book has Rose’s name, but it is just as much about David’s personal journey. It’s a journey that has the odds stacked against it. It’s a journey that changed me as I experienced it.
Permanent Rose is rich with humor and feeling. In the Casson’s Hilary McKay creates a family unlike any I have ever seen in literature before. In Permanent Rose McKay creates and articulates relationships that makes me think more deeply about my own. Once again McKay has made my life richer and fuller.
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These books by Tory Anderson are now available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback format:
