The book has a pretty good pace.
I do feel sorry for the children. However, I really do question the mother's choices. She gives her first impression of their father, and he seems like a real odd ball yet she decided to move in with him. Then she tells all these stories of his uncaring behaviour and not wanting anything to do with his daughters, yet she insists that he marry her. Anyways, I'm not sure if she's a bit of a simpleton herself but her constant whining did annoy me as she had opportunities to get out but always went back to him and her daughters paid the price for it.