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“O Caledonia” teaches girls how to grow up

Elspeth Barker’s only novel is a celebration of obstinate individuality

ITALY - DECEMBER 10: Schoolgirl, 1898, by Giuseppe Vizzotto Alberti (1862-1931). Italy, 19th century. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

She lies in a heap on the staircase of Auchnasaugh Castle, “twisted and slumped in bloody, murderous death”. Above her, a stained-glass window bears her family motto: Moriens sed Invictus, “dying but unconquered”.

This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “One of a kind”

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