Did anyone see a drama on bbc2 last week which was about child abuse .A horrible subject matter I know but isnt it better that we are aware these days . Well it was supposed to be a really good piece of bbc drama .

Didn't see it sorry. What time was it on?

I hope you're watching a Bouquet of Barbed wire? I saw the original drama in the 70's and am enjoying this years version just as much despite the Guardian write up...in a vouyeristic horrified sort of way

I hope you're watching a Bouquet of Barbed wire? I saw the original drama in the 70's and am enjoying this years version just as much despite the Guardian write up...in a vouyeristic horrified sort of way

I never saw the original as I was too young and don't ever recall it being repeated, however I read the book. What is it with Andrea Newman and her obsession about father/daughter relationships and groups of friends and relatives all having affairs with one another? It seems to be a recurring theme in the novels of hers that I've read, my favourite being MacKenzie, as well as the TV dramatisation, which sadly is not available on DVD nor is ever repated.

However, this version of Bouquet is really sinister and the father/Pru relationship is a bit hammered, I feel. As for Gavin - he's a total psycho, devoid of any redeeming qualities. I'm sure that he at least had charm in the novel. All that said, it is compelling viewing but I have no recollection of this Paula shared link or know not where it's going with it. Is this a new piece of artistic licence? It's interesting, given the issue of domestic violence being far less acceptable than when the book was written to see how the whole dynamic of Pru and Gavin's relationship has been depicted. I seem to recall that in the novel, it was a sado-masochistic one and there was an element of her enjoying if not deliberately provoking the violence. Wasn't Pru also really manipulative? It's years since I read it.

AA Gill actually gave this a good review in last week's Sunday Times, that's a rarity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWbRtIJhOSw I was 15 when this was last on, hilariously dated.

and Here is the new (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk1hNF3Glgg) version