Hobbies and Crafts

The Throwaway Children, i quite enjoyed but i thought the first part of the book was rather drawn out and the final part seemed rushed, i would have liked the ending to have been longer. Overall i thought it was a good read.

Meet me at the Pier-head was my suggestion and thoroughly enjoyed it. :-)

the price to pay by Linda Page

Not one to use long words Linda Page writes in a fairly simple manner which at first made me think this was going to be a bit of a nondescript book. And at first it is a simple story, a woman happily married who longs for a child and her husband and sister who think she would do anything to get one. Rica and Simon are able to adopt a son but, as there seems to be no waiting time we realise this is by unorthodox means. Then her husband and son disappear, Rica is distraught but is encouraged by her sister Fran to take over Simon's business.

I enjoyed the part of the story that involved the running of the business, it being a photographic studio, photography has been my first hobby since I was eleven years old and I used to develop and print my own black and white photos. I found this part of the story quite evocotive.

Plenty of twists and photography eventually leads us to a surprise conclusion. Well written, intriguing and absorbing I enjoyed

Because I had this on Kindle

Jam and Roses by Mary Gibson.

I enjoyed another of her books, Custard Tarts and broken hearts and as this is in the same series of factory girls, I guessed I would like it.

Set among the deprived area of Bermondsey London, among the factories in the 1920s, Millie spends her early life trying to protect her mother and sisters from her abusive drunk father. Taking in the National Strike and the lack of work afterwards, plus the excitement of the families going hop picking, and the despair of Elsie, two years younger than Millie who is placed in an asylum for turning on her father to protect herself, it could be a depressing read. But Millie's resilience shines through, together with her love for her baby, Jimmy and her husband Bertie. I enjoyed it and would read more of her books

Throwaway Children by Diney Costeloe

A very readable story about a horrendous subject. The story of two sisters sent to an orphanage by a brutal stepfather who pressurised his bullied wife to sign papers handing them into the orphanage, making them the legal guardians. The orphanage then sent them to Australia to another orphanage no better than the British one. The sisters are then split up and the younger one adopted by an abusive man and his accepting wife.

We all know this went on and the story is not an actual true story. However, it is based on fact and makes for uncomfortable and sad reading.

As I said, it is well written and I am pleased I read it, the characters are very well written and believable, I will look out for more books by this person.

Chaotic in this house at the moment so I am putting the threads up two days early. I will put the suggestion thread up as well and hold the vote when everyone has caught up with it.

Please review the Throwaway Children.
then

Meet me at the pier head
the Girl on the train.

and then any others you have read and want to review for us.