Daughter of the Empire is a compelling evocation of another time and way of life as experienced through the eyes and voice of the child, Frances, during her journey to adulthood. From her earliest memories until she leaves home, she tries to cope with her disruptive life and the bewildering adults that populate it. Curious and na ve, she observe and eavesdrops. Her comments are often unintentionally funny. Through her travels from New York City to various parts of the then far-flung British Empire we experience her separation from friends, multiple changes of schools, and her ongoing search for a sense of identity and belonging. This memoir is a relentless, clear-eyed seeing and showing of a childhood with no illusions or evasions.