A delightful, humorous account of life in row-housing for financially strapped people. Two things which particularly struck me - the clear ambivalence of government attitudes to such people, and the lovely sense of solidarity and mutual support that existed in these communities. Something that we have sadly lost in so-called "higher income groups". It made me wonder - who is really the richer? An excellent read, well characterized, nice pacing. I definitely wanted more when I had finished it and was very pleased to have the sequel - "Cockeyed optimists" on hand, which is equally good. Definitely worth it, both for entertainment and very interesting social comment.