The White Bird Passes

Set in the backstreets of a Scottish city in the 1920s, The White Bird Passes is the unforgettable story of a young girl growing up in 'the Lane'. Poor, crowded and dirty - but full of life and excitement - the Lane is the only home Janie MacVean has ever known. It is a place where, despite everything, Janie is happy. But when the Cruelty Man arrives, bringing with him the threat of the dreaded 'home' - the orphanage that is every child's nightmare - Janie's contented childhood seems to be at an end.A gritty and moving portrayal of a young girl facing up to hardship and deprivation, written with warmth, humour and insight, Jessie Kesson's classic autobiographical novel is widely regarded as her finest work.