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tonyriver's review
3.0
An absorbing read with interesting characters. A recognizable story set in WW1, with a good telling of this distressing time and highlights the challenges and changes that occurred. The writing at times could have done with a more thorough edit, with some phrases repeated several times. Overall though an enjoyable story.
tonyriver's review against another edition
3.0
A light but fun read. All of the characters from the Poppy Girls continue here. With racing the focus and as in the previous book Pip, the generous and likable heroine, leading the story, it is a great read. The story covers a decade or so with Romance and many subplots to be enjoyed.
katiecatbooks's review
5.0
Refreshing. World war I. Historical fiction.
Story: In 1914 England, Pips Maitland is a spunky young woman who would prefer to be riding motorcycles and going to university to study to become a doctor rather than settle down and be a housewife and mother. Instead it's her brother who is studying at university and riding motorcycles and following in his father's footsteps to someday take over the physicians practice and inherit the great estate where they all live. With talk of war around the corner though, no one can predict what will happen and who will go.
Chsracters: Pips is headstrong and ambitious. Robert her brother is upstanding and responsible. Their parents own and run a great estate and contribute to the town as physician and in voluntary and charity work. On the other side of town, Ma Dawson is one of the oldest women of the whole village and lives with her son Len and wife Norah and their 4 boys and 1 girl, two of which work over at the Maitland's.
Language: Though this book was published in 2018, it reads like it was written in the 30's, similar in tone and atmosphere to books written at that time. Refreshingly light, but unpredictable in plot, the events, decisions made and attitudes are believable and uplifting and full of positivity and hope. Told in third person from various perspectives, the story flows smoothly from land to land, person to person. Far from happily ever after, the book tells of realities of war and consequences of decisions, and yet the characters and families must continue on and come to terms with the new ways of life during wartime.
Truly refreshing, I can't wait to read more of this style book and author.
Story: In 1914 England, Pips Maitland is a spunky young woman who would prefer to be riding motorcycles and going to university to study to become a doctor rather than settle down and be a housewife and mother. Instead it's her brother who is studying at university and riding motorcycles and following in his father's footsteps to someday take over the physicians practice and inherit the great estate where they all live. With talk of war around the corner though, no one can predict what will happen and who will go.
Chsracters: Pips is headstrong and ambitious. Robert her brother is upstanding and responsible. Their parents own and run a great estate and contribute to the town as physician and in voluntary and charity work. On the other side of town, Ma Dawson is one of the oldest women of the whole village and lives with her son Len and wife Norah and their 4 boys and 1 girl, two of which work over at the Maitland's.
Language: Though this book was published in 2018, it reads like it was written in the 30's, similar in tone and atmosphere to books written at that time. Refreshingly light, but unpredictable in plot, the events, decisions made and attitudes are believable and uplifting and full of positivity and hope. Told in third person from various perspectives, the story flows smoothly from land to land, person to person. Far from happily ever after, the book tells of realities of war and consequences of decisions, and yet the characters and families must continue on and come to terms with the new ways of life during wartime.
Truly refreshing, I can't wait to read more of this style book and author.
helenwhite83's review
5.0
The first in a new series featuring the Maitland’s, The Poppy Girls follows Philippa ‘Pips’ Maitland and her brother Robert as they embark on a journey to the Front Line to serve in the flying ambulance corps. Facing death and injury on a daily basis, the pair form part of a tight knit flagship team, treating British soldiers during World War One.
The Poppy Girls is the first novel by Margaret Dickinson that I read - but it certainly won’t be the last. The story focuses mostly on Pips’ experience on the Front Line, and is pacy and harrowing. As I read Dickinson’s words I couldn’t help but think of the young men who blindly went into battle - many of whom never returned to their families again. I could not put this book down!
The Poppy Girls is the first novel by Margaret Dickinson that I read - but it certainly won’t be the last. The story focuses mostly on Pips’ experience on the Front Line, and is pacy and harrowing. As I read Dickinson’s words I couldn’t help but think of the young men who blindly went into battle - many of whom never returned to their families again. I could not put this book down!
lilli3's review
5.0
This book is definitely one of my all time favourites, as are the other two books in this trilogy! The writing is amazing and the story grips you from beginning to end! Absolutely fantastic!!!!!
debs's review
3.0
Pip would’ve been my best friend! I loved the Alice-Robert pairing, and Len made me want to give him a well-deserved beating. Boy Dawson – you had it coming, I’m afraid :/ I’m so glad William found a more worthy home to settle in, at the end. I wish the Dawson women had learned to stand up to Len more! Pip would’ve set him straight :P The George-Pip pairing really made me think about the social institution of marriage.
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