Other People's Children written by Joanna Trollope studies, ultimately, the construction of a new family. It strongly challenges the issue of steparenting by examining the assembly of a step- family, the problems which occur as a result and the formation and disintegration of relationships surrounding this new family. Trollope became a stepmother when she wed her second husband in 1983 and although she insists that her experience was not the motivation behind this novel, it certinely …showed first 75 words of 2042 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2042 total…day, she told herself, one day." This image is very powerful in that there is a house, a very dominant family possesion within which all the windows are open, giving the feel of people opening up their hearts and being honest with one another, no longer building their feelings up inside them. Here Karen has hope for the family as it developes and feels that one day they will be just like a normal family.