"Agnes Grey, a young child growing up in Houston, Texas in the early sixties, is troubled by her mother's depressive and erratic mood swings. She escapes to a delusional dream state where she finds that her made-up relationships are more gratifying and often more tangible than her real ones. A beloved porcelain doll whispers unintelligible mutterings to her well into the night. An enigmatic high-school boyfriend appears upon command to silently fulfill her adolescent desires. A handsome and soulful English poet steals her away to serve as his devoted muse..."--BOOK JACKET. "Aunt Marjorie, whose cameo appearances are peppered with tales of life abroad, warns Agnes that she must be prepared to deal with the consequences of what she wishes for. And as Agnes approaches and enters adulthood, her fantastical relationships and their consequences become deceptively real, with a chilling and bizarre aftermath."--BOOK JACKET.