Historien i "The Clothes on their Backs" bliver fortalt af Vivien Kovaks, en ung kvinde, hvis jødiske forældre er flygtet fra Ungarn til London under 2. verdenskrig. Hun vokser op i et hjem, der i høj grad er præget af forældrenes fortid og af Viviens farbror, den legendariske Sandor. Sandor er kriminel men karismatisk, men Viviens forældre har brudt al kontakt med ham og med deres fortid. Det er derfor op til Vivien selv at opsøge sin familiehistorie, hvis hun vil have en fortid at bygge sin fremtid på. Historien er smukt fortalt, og den maler et levende billede af efterkrigstidens London, og af en ung kvindes identitetssøgen.
The story of "The Clothes on Their Backs" is told by Vivien Kovaks, a young girl living in London. She is the child of Jewish immigrants, who fled Hungary duing the Second World War and who have left all of their past behind them. Including Viviens criminal but charismatic uncle, Sandor. It is up to Vivien to seek out her past in order to get a family history that she can build her future upon. The story is beautifully told with lots of layers to explore and it gives a vivid picture of a changing post-war London and of a young woman's search for identity.
Quote from the book:
"Well, you look marvellous, Eunice. I said this in defence to that iron determination of hers: never to surrender to what she could conquer with her own will - her weapons an eyeliner penil, a lipstick, and a pair of stockings with no runs in them."
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