Title: The Children Of Lovely Lane
Author: Nadine Dorries
First published November 17, 2016
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.44
Overview
Nadine Dorries’ The Children of Lovely Lane is a heartwarming tale of courage and hope set in Liverpool’s tenements. Lily’s life is a constant struggle, working hard at the dockside processing plant and caring for her siblings.
The sound of children playing outside her window mocks her existence, and she’s too ashamed of her living conditions to allow herself to find love. Her fears intensify when her four-year-old brother falls sick.
Will the Angels of Lovely Lane be able to save her brother, and will Lily finally find the strength to break free from her burdens? Find out in this touching story of resilience and community.
About the Author
Born and raised on a council estate in Liverpool during the 1950s, Nadine Dorries’ upbringing was shaped by her father’s occupation as a bus driver and her close relationship with her Irish grandmother. Memories of her childhood inspired her to write her debut novel, THE FOUR STREETS.
After training as a nurse, Nadine built a successful career and even established and sold her own business. Since 2005, she has served as the MP for Mid-Bedfordshire and is the proud mother of three daughters.
Currently, Nadine is hard at work on her second novel, which will be a sequel to THE FOUR STREETS.
Editoral Review
In her latest novel, The Children of Lovely Lane, Nadine Dorries takes readers back to the post-World War II era in Liverpool, England. Dorries is a bestselling writer known for her heart-warming stories that focus on the lives of women and families.
Her writing style is uncomplicated and easy to read, making her novels accessible to a wide audience. The Children of Lovely Lane tells the story of a group of women who work at St Angelus Hospital, and their intertwined lives.
The main character is Nurse Ada, who has just returned from serving as a nurse in the army. She is assigned to work in the hospital’s maternity ward, where she meets the other women who will become her friends.
The setting of the novel is a post-war Liverpool that is still struggling to recover from the effects of the war. Poverty and hardship are rampant, and the women who work at St Angelus Hospital are not immune to its effects.
The author does an excellent job of portraying the gritty reality of life in post-war Liverpool, without being overly melodramatic. The novel’s main characters are well-developed and engaging.
Nurse Ada is a relatable protagonist who is easy to root for. The other women she works with are also well-drawn, and their relationships with each other are a highlight of the novel.
The dialogue between the characters is natural and flows well, adding to the authenticity of the story. The plot of the novel is not particularly original, but it is well-executed.
The conflicts that arise are believable, and the resolution of these conflicts is satisfying. There are some unexpected twists in the story that keep the reader engaged, but the novel’s pacing is a bit slow at times.
One of the strengths of the novel is its historical context. Dorries does an excellent job of portraying the challenges faced by women in post-war Liverpool, particularly those who were working-class.
The novel touches on some important issues, such as poverty, classism, and sexism, which are still relevant today. Dorries does not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of life in Liverpool at the time, but she also emphasizes the importance of friendship and community in the face of adversity.
Overall, The Children of Lovely Lane is a well-written and engaging novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and heart-warming family stories. While it is not particularly groundbreaking, the novel has a lot of heart and is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
If you are looking for a cozy read that will leave you feeling uplifted, this novel is a great choice.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.