Customer Reviews
Family history is not always easy to discover, either emotionally or factually. - By: Claire King, 15 Jul 2007 
Margaret Forster never does reallly find out what the hidden secrets of her family were, but she does write a fascinating account of the lives of the women of her family. Driven by the urge to rise above their situations, despite the endless drudgery of housework & child-care, they are also frightening limited by their own womanhood. This book could be the chronicle of the women of any one of many working-class families. The author's research into historical background of her ancestors enriches the first part of the book & then she raises interesting question about the differing viewpoints that colour our reminiscences.
Fantastic!! - By: , 02 Jul 2004 This is a excellent book. I took it away on holiday & couldn't put it down.
A truly remarkable family history - By: , 14 Mar 2000 This is one of the most remarkable, poignant, suspenseful & readable family histories ever published. Margaret Forster's chronicle of the contrasting lives of her grandmother, mother & self form a fascinating microcosm of the choices--and risks--shared by British women over the last century. Charged with immense reserves of perspective & compassion, Forster's narrative becomes a gripping detective story of how she discovered some of the truth about her female forebears & the lives they lived. This is a wonderful, truly feminist true-life tale--and just the volume to offer to that female (or better yet, male) adolescent who cannot imagine or appreciate the conditions & choices faced by our ancestors.
A disappointing book which leaves the reader dissatisfied. - By: , 29 Nov 1999 
The author obviously felt this book needed to be written, perhaps more for herself than the reader. The initial chapters are an interesting look in what life was like for women at the turn of the century in a very practical & down to earth sense, but too soon we are shown the life of the author herself, who is if I may say so, not terribly interesting. Too much is left unsaid or enexplored & you are left with the feeling that we are not being told the full story, instead being given many details that aren't interesting enough & if I hadn't been reading this for a discussion group, I probably wouldn't have bothered finishing it.
Simply the best - By: , 02 Aug 1999 This is the best biography I have ever read. It reallly demands that the reader takes stock of their own life as well as that of the the author's mother whose history it relates. Whilst not agreeing with alll her analysis it reallly gave me food for thought and, having passed it on to both my sister in law & father, it created the basis for lots of family discussion.
