Water Gypsies - Softcover

Murray, Annie

4.33

442 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330492144 ISBN 13: 9780330492140

Publisher: Pan Books, 2004

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It is 1942, and after a childhood of suffering in Birmingham, Maryann Bartholomew has built a life of happiness and safety with her husband Joel and their children, working the canals on his narrowboat, the Esther Jane. But the back-breaking work and constant childbearing take their toll on Maryann, and the tragic loss of her old friend Nancy, followed by a further pregnancy lead her to a desperate act which nearly costs her her life.

The walls of her security are broken down when Joel suffers an accident, and to keep the boats working, Maryann is forced to allow Sylvia and Dot, two wartime volunteers, into the privacy of their life. And when she discovers that someone keeps calling for her at Birmingham's Tyseley Wharf, the dark memories of her past begin to overwhelm her life. For that someone, who seems to be watching her every move, is becoming more dangerous that even she could imagine...

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From the Author:

'Water Gypsies' continues the story of Maryann Nelson which began in 'The Narrowboat Girl,' although you can read it without having read the other book first! Maryann is now married and called Maryann Bartholomew. When I was thinking about writing this story I found myself reluctant to revisit some of the darker parts of Maryann's past, but I knew I was going to have to. Sexual abuse and its effects do not just go away in adulthood - and neither, it was clear, was the horrible figure of Maryann's stepfather Norman Griffin going to go away either!Some people have told me that this is a frightening story and in some ways it is. But I hope it's not just frightening. There is also the experience of life on the canals to read about, and Maryann's children, as well as the friendships that grow up between Maryann and the wartime volunteer girls who come to work with her. I hope those of you who like reading about life on the cut, or who just like a good story, will enjoy this one.

Book Description:

A gritty, compelling saga from the author of the bestselling Birmingham novel, Chocolate Girls.

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