Book: The Hiding Place

"The Hiding Place" by Trezza Azzopardi intricately weaves a poignant tale of family, poverty, and identity set against the gritty backdrop of post-war Cardiff. The novel follows Dolores Gauci, the youngest of six daughters in a Maltese immigrant family, as she navigates the complexities of her tumultuous upbringing. Her father, Frankie, is a compulsive gambler whose actions leave a lasting imprint on the family's fragile world. Azzopardi offers a tender yet unflinching exploration of themes such as betrayal, resilience, and the elusive nature of memory. Through Dolores's fragmented recollections, readers are drawn into a world of vibrant yet flawed characters, from her fierce mother Mary to the enigmatic figure of Frankie himself. The novel's rich narrative and evocative imagery invite readers to piece together the scattered remnants of Dolores's past, revealing the hidden truths that shape her identity. "The Hiding Place" is a compelling examination of the ways in which our pasts haunt and define us, told with lyrical prose and an acute sense of compassion.