Review A vivid tale inspired by the author's own family history. (EASY LIVING ) Book Description In 1920s India, where do two little girls belong? Born of two cultures, belonging to neither... Product Description Assam, 1925. James MacDonald is one of the sons of empire who has no yearning for England. Running a tea plantation, he loves India and is reluctant to choose a British bride from the eager crowds sent over. But when he takes a beautiful young Indian woman as his courtesan, he can little imagine what he has begun. So starts the story of Mary and Serafina. Born of two worlds, accepted by neither. Growing up beloved but hidden away, their childhood is one of contradiction. It is only as the shadow of war falls and the turmoil of Indian partition begins, that the girls must face the truth about their parents and begin the search for somewhere to belong. It will be a journey full of forbidden questions, hidden answers, heartbreak and determination. As Serafina and Mary grow into women, they must risk everything and make choices with a legacy that will last a lifetime, and beyond.

艾莉森·麦昆（Alison McQueen），母亲是印度人，父亲是一名英国的爵士乐手。她成长于伦敦。从事广告行业二十年，后转为全职写作。《牵手出头天》的创作灵感来源之一便是她自己的家族故事。2006年，艾莉森被英国电影工业协会提名为新一代英国荧幕作家之一。她还用笔名为麦克米伦出版社写过一套非常受欢迎的系列小说。

艾莉森目前与丈夫和女儿们一起住在英格兰北安普敦郡。她牢记自己血脉中印度的那一方，每年仍多次探访印度。

《牵手出头天》是英国著名文学出版社Orion2012年春季的重点书。艾莉森运笔行文冷静自持，淡然甚至淡漠的字句间，一个秘密隐忍的故事浮出水面。在那个年代不被接受的混血私生姐妹执著追寻、相依相护的心酸遭遇，交错上演的猝不及防的人物悲喜和挣扎彷徨，让人读之感同身受，更不禁扼腕落泪。包括主角，每一个角色都耐人寻味，仿佛能清晰地看见他们的命运轨迹。