REMEMBER ME IS the fictional memoir of a version whose mind has been smashed to pieces by a hard and comfortless upbringing. It is not for the faint-hearted: there is little joy to be found in the history of Lillian Patricia &chards (also known as Winifred Foy) who, we learn from an introductory note, is 'inspired by' a real person. Trezza Azzopardi describes - indeed, inhabits - her protagonist with extraordinary empathy, but cleverly tells this piteous tale without sentiment. Lillian is wretched: hateful, savage, broken-hearted, and Azzopardi's healthy disregard for the reader's approval makes the book a harrowing but impressive read.

We begin at the end: a seventy-year-old homeless woman, Winifred, shelters in an abandoned shoemaker's shop in Norwich. One night a redheaded girl sneaks in and steals Winifred's suitcase, her only possession. Winifred has been trying to live the rest of her days as if she had no past. 'This