This is the story of Loretta Mason Potts, a normal girl who suddenly turned wild and strange when she was (I think) about five. Now she's in her early teens and the book tells WHY she turned wild.I read this as a child and it has haunted me ever since. I re-read it recently and while I agree with another reviewer that it has not dated particularly well, it's still surreal and haunting and unique and parts of it are really a page-turner. The author does a great job creating both worlds and my belief never wavered, even as a grown-up. There is something about this book that just sticks with you.