Title: The Mothers of Lovely Lane
Author: Nadine Dorries
Published June 1, 2017
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.46
Overview
The Mothers of Lovely Lane by Nadine Dorries is a heartwarming tale about the strength of a mother’s love. Noleen Delaney is a dedicated night cleaner at St Angelus hospital in Liverpool, supporting her family after her husband was injured in the war.
With her eldest son Bryan’s help, they barely make ends meet. However, when her youngest son Finn passes the eleven plus exam, Noleen’s world is turned upside down.
The cost of sending Finn to grammar school is too much for her to bear, but with Bryan’s unexpected help, the whole community is shaken. As the nurses of Lovely Lane approach their final exams, Noleen will be tested like never before, and her heart will be shattered.
But just how far will she go for the love of her children?
About the Author
Born in Liverpool during the 1950s, Nadine Dorries grew up on a council estate as the daughter of a bus driver. Her childhood memories, particularly of her Irish grandmother whom she was very close to, inspired her first novel, THE FOUR STREETS.
After training as a nurse, Nadine went on to establish and sell her own business, achieving great success. Since 2005, she has been the MP for Mid-Bedfordshire and is a mother to three daughters.
Currently, Nadine is focused on writing her second novel, which happens to be a sequel to THE FOUR STREETS.
Editoral Review
Nadine Dorries’s novel, The Mothers of Lovely Lane, published on June 1, 2017, is a captivating story set in the 1950s in Liverpool, England. Dorries is a British author, a former Member of Parliament, and nurse.
She has penned several novels, including The Four Streets series. The Mothers of Lovely Lane is an enthralling read, written in an engaging and emotive style.
The themes of love, loss, and hope are woven through the plot as it unfolds. The novel revolves around the lives of four midwives at St. Angelus Midwife Hospital, who are also best friends.
Each of them has to deal with personal and professional challenges while caring for their patients, who are mostly poor women from the local area. As the plot progresses, we see the characters facing one challenge after another, from the death of a child to unwanted pregnancies and domestic abuse.
The novel cleverly incorporates important social issues like religion and class, making it historically and culturally significant. The book also challenges gender roles and highlights the challenges women faced during the period.
Dorries introduces a cast of compelling characters in The Mothers of Lovely Lane. Nadia, the newest and youngest midwife, is determined to prove herself, despite others’ doubts.
She faces challenges at work and home as she tries to find her place in the world. Gail, the oldest midwife, is struggling with illness and a personal tragedy, but she refuses to give up.
The two other midwives, Emily and Victoria, also have their share of problems, and the book shows how they are all intertwined. Dorries is commendable for her character development, and she gives each character a distinct voice and personality.
The pacing of the book is immaculate, with just the right balance of action and reflection. The plot structure is well-crafted, keeping readers engaged from the beginning to the end.
The book’s strengths are its emotive storytelling, historical relevance, character development, and beautifully crafted plot. However, the book does have some weaknesses.
The dialogue between characters, at times, appears forced or unrealistic. Additionally, some elements of the plot are predictable, although this does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of reading the book.
The Mothers of Lovely Lane is a book that can be compared favorably to other works in its genre by authors such as Jennifer Worth or Call the Midwife. However, Dorries’ book has a more human feel that makes readers connect with the characters on a personal level.
The book is an excellent example of historical fiction that brings the social issues of the past to light, making them relevant to today’s world. Overall, The Mothers of Lovely Lane is an excellent read for lovers of historical fiction, fans of the work of Jennifer Worth and readers interested in the social history of midwifery.
The book delivers a heartwarming story while educating the reader about midwifery, class, religion and life in post-war Liverpool. I would rate this book an 8 out of 10, based on its emotive storytelling, character development, plot structure, and historical relevance.
