anna220310's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This historical fiction is a rarely-seen authenic account of what it must have been like to be a factory girl in London between the wars. The whole district is on or below the poverty line, dealing with the losing their sons and brothers to war or having them return broken. And while the community is supportive, it also means that domestic abuse and alcoholism are widespread.
We follow Millie and her younger sisters through the 1920s, during which she has to quickly grow up and works physically harder than most of us today can imagine. She is witty and strong as an ox, but also still a child and afraid, unable to see a way out of following into her mother's tragic footsteps. But their yearly vacation to the countryside - read: working in the fields - stirs up more than a change of air this time.
We follow Millie and her younger sisters through the 1920s, during which she has to quickly grow up and works physically harder than most of us today can imagine. She is witty and strong as an ox, but also still a child and afraid, unable to see a way out of following into her mother's tragic footsteps. But their yearly vacation to the countryside - read: working in the fields - stirs up more than a change of air this time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Physical abuse, Classism, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Pregnancy
Minor: War
daisystevenson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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