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No Gypsies Served
Sequel/Prequel to Gypsies Stop tHere, Wakerly's first novel published 2008. Both books can standalone but are connected. Back cover reads: Two years have passed since Kay successfully campaigned for the Appley Green Gypsy Site,and four years since her husband was murdered. Life in the village was going so well until the phone call and letter. Then comes the disastrous site opening. Worst of all, Dunstan, whom she realises is her best friend and ally, is giving her the cold shoulder for some unknown reason. Dunstan is taking an emotional trip down memory lane, into childhood as a Gypsy on the road, and his eventual break from his people. Why is he so angry with Kay that he keeps away from her Chances of a longed for reconciliation look slim ...
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Miriam Wakerly
8 books16 followersI live in lovely Surrey, England, within easy reach of London. The area is very much like Appley Green, the setting for my three novels. I have had a varied working life, together with bringing up three children who have long since flown the nest. Now officially 'retired', I have time to enjoy writing, with a broad sweep of life experience behind me - and ahead!
My first novel, Gypsies Stop tHere (2008) touches on sensitive issues but has been embraced by many; 2 years later No Gypsies Served delved deeper. More on my books and me in Miriam's Ramblings http://www.miriamwakerly.blogspot.com/ My very new book, Shades of Appley Green,is about community, love, parenthood, birth and death - things that most human beings can relate to easily!
My first novel, Gypsies Stop tHere (2008) touches on sensitive issues but has been embraced by many; 2 years later No Gypsies Served delved deeper. More on my books and me in Miriam's Ramblings http://www.miriamwakerly.blogspot.com/ My very new book, Shades of Appley Green,is about community, love, parenthood, birth and death - things that most human beings can relate to easily!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 13, 2012
I will start off by saying that Miriam Wakerly has released another book before this one, “Gypsies Stop tHere”, and although they can both be read as standalone stories, I would highly recommend reading them together as they are connected and flow wonderfully from one to the next.
When I first picked up both of these books, I didn’t quite know what to expect. There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding Gypsies and Travellers in the media, in conversation among the public, and also portrayed a certain way in TV shows, such as “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding”. And I got thinking, what do we really know about the Gypsy and Traveller life? What do we really know about their world at all?
It’s clear that Miriam has put a lot of work, effort and research into this book to ensure that the Gypsy and Traveller community is portrayed in a fair and insightful way. One of the things I loved about this book was that Miriam uses actual words and phrases used by the Gypsy community, and I felt this really helped me to connect more with their culture and way of life, it helped me feel like I was a part of their world for the duration of the book. For those of you worried you won’t understand the story, the glossary at the back of the book really helps to explain any words you might be unsure of, and after a while, I found myself so in tune with them that I didn’t need to flip back and forth to look up their meaning. Although there is a lot of information throughout this book, it is a story first and foremost, and what an enthralling story it is!
There are some interesting and intriguing character developments throughout. Kay and Dunstan in particular are the main features of the story. Kay is a strong,optimistic woman who draws you in and keeps you wanting to read along with her story. We explore a lot more of Dunstan’s past as well, and I must say, it’s captivating to learn more of his journey through life.
For anyone who loves gaining knowledge, this is a book for you, it provides a lot of information of Gypsy and Traveller history without being overwhelming. At the end of the story I found myself with a much deeper understanding and I felt so pleased that I had given these books a chance. If you’re interested in learning more about the Gyspy and Traveller community, or just fancy something different, then try this!
When I first picked up both of these books, I didn’t quite know what to expect. There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding Gypsies and Travellers in the media, in conversation among the public, and also portrayed a certain way in TV shows, such as “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding”. And I got thinking, what do we really know about the Gypsy and Traveller life? What do we really know about their world at all?
It’s clear that Miriam has put a lot of work, effort and research into this book to ensure that the Gypsy and Traveller community is portrayed in a fair and insightful way. One of the things I loved about this book was that Miriam uses actual words and phrases used by the Gypsy community, and I felt this really helped me to connect more with their culture and way of life, it helped me feel like I was a part of their world for the duration of the book. For those of you worried you won’t understand the story, the glossary at the back of the book really helps to explain any words you might be unsure of, and after a while, I found myself so in tune with them that I didn’t need to flip back and forth to look up their meaning. Although there is a lot of information throughout this book, it is a story first and foremost, and what an enthralling story it is!
There are some interesting and intriguing character developments throughout. Kay and Dunstan in particular are the main features of the story. Kay is a strong,optimistic woman who draws you in and keeps you wanting to read along with her story. We explore a lot more of Dunstan’s past as well, and I must say, it’s captivating to learn more of his journey through life.
For anyone who loves gaining knowledge, this is a book for you, it provides a lot of information of Gypsy and Traveller history without being overwhelming. At the end of the story I found myself with a much deeper understanding and I felt so pleased that I had given these books a chance. If you’re interested in learning more about the Gyspy and Traveller community, or just fancy something different, then try this!
January 17, 2012
Gypsies Stop tHere and No Gypsies are both books written by Miriam Wakerly.
Whilst they do following on from each other they can be read as a stand alone, my recommendation would be that you read them both as the stories flow together. Because of this I am reviewing them together!
Miriam had touched upon a subject that some could find controversal with a very skilled hand and care. It is extremely clear that she has conducted a large amount of research on the subject matter and often includes the actual words used by the travellers (thankfully a conversation into English is included in both books at the back!). Over the years this has been a subject that has been highlighted in the media with a lot of negativity and I feel that whilst these are just stories, Miriam has really helped me understand the Gypsy community a little bit better with some compassion.
These books are not just about Gypsies, the main focus of the story is about the widowed Kay and her struggles to restart her life after the death of her husband and her children grown up with lives of their own. What she thinks will be a quiet existence turns into a very busy life in the picturesque village of Appley Green. You get what you’d expect from a Village community – the local shop owner, the nosy neighbours and the rich man in the large house!
Miriam has beautifully written a fabulous pair of books which are gentle but whilst both just over 220 pages in length, packed full of substance that will keep you wanting to read on. Kay is a wonderful leading lady for the books who is a strong woman, maybe is a little too trusting but you can’t help but admire her strength and positive out look on life and those around her, gorgeous connections between Kay and her daughters. Dunstan the gardener sounds like the perfect Gent! All wrapped up with a will they won’t they get together!!
Thank you so much Miriam for sending me a copy of both of these books. Really enjoyed them both very much
Whilst they do following on from each other they can be read as a stand alone, my recommendation would be that you read them both as the stories flow together. Because of this I am reviewing them together!
Miriam had touched upon a subject that some could find controversal with a very skilled hand and care. It is extremely clear that she has conducted a large amount of research on the subject matter and often includes the actual words used by the travellers (thankfully a conversation into English is included in both books at the back!). Over the years this has been a subject that has been highlighted in the media with a lot of negativity and I feel that whilst these are just stories, Miriam has really helped me understand the Gypsy community a little bit better with some compassion.
These books are not just about Gypsies, the main focus of the story is about the widowed Kay and her struggles to restart her life after the death of her husband and her children grown up with lives of their own. What she thinks will be a quiet existence turns into a very busy life in the picturesque village of Appley Green. You get what you’d expect from a Village community – the local shop owner, the nosy neighbours and the rich man in the large house!
Miriam has beautifully written a fabulous pair of books which are gentle but whilst both just over 220 pages in length, packed full of substance that will keep you wanting to read on. Kay is a wonderful leading lady for the books who is a strong woman, maybe is a little too trusting but you can’t help but admire her strength and positive out look on life and those around her, gorgeous connections between Kay and her daughters. Dunstan the gardener sounds like the perfect Gent! All wrapped up with a will they won’t they get together!!
Thank you so much Miriam for sending me a copy of both of these books. Really enjoyed them both very much
July 27, 2012
No Gypsies Served is set two years after the story of Gypsies Stop tHere. Kay is now settled living in the village of Appley Green and she has made lots of friends. One of the people she has become particularly close to is Dunstan. Kay first met Dunstan when she employed him to help out with her gardening. Kay and Dunstan had ended up spending a lot of time together and become really good friends. Dunstan suddenly becomes distant towards Kay and she can not understand why and Kay really needs her friends right now, she has been receiving threatening letters and a phone call that is of great worry for her. Then when the grand opening of the Appley Green Gypsy site that Kay had successfully campaigned for, does not go to plan and there are problems, where is Dunstan when she needs him?
Dunstan is busy writing about his past. Dustan’s childhood was spent as a Gypsy. Dunstan had eventually broken away from his family and his Gypsy upbringing. But he still feels pulled back to his traditional roots. Writing his memoirs bring back some emotional memories. But what is keeping him away from Kay?
No Gypsies Served is another wonderful read by Miriam Wakerly. Although this book is a sequel to Gypsies Stop tHere, this story can be read without reading the first book. I really recommend reading them both though because they are both excellently written and great stories. I just found myself really involved in the story and I have become really fond and care a lot about the character of Kay. All too often in literature Gypsies are presented almost as fairy tale sort of characters, very stereotypical and clichéd. In Miriam Wakerly books she really portrays Gypsies and Travelling people as individual characters and you get a more real life account of what life is really like living in these communities. It is what makes Miriam Wakerly books well worth reading.
I am looking forward to returning to Appley Green in Miriam Wakerly’s novel Shades of Appley Green.
Dunstan is busy writing about his past. Dustan’s childhood was spent as a Gypsy. Dunstan had eventually broken away from his family and his Gypsy upbringing. But he still feels pulled back to his traditional roots. Writing his memoirs bring back some emotional memories. But what is keeping him away from Kay?
No Gypsies Served is another wonderful read by Miriam Wakerly. Although this book is a sequel to Gypsies Stop tHere, this story can be read without reading the first book. I really recommend reading them both though because they are both excellently written and great stories. I just found myself really involved in the story and I have become really fond and care a lot about the character of Kay. All too often in literature Gypsies are presented almost as fairy tale sort of characters, very stereotypical and clichéd. In Miriam Wakerly books she really portrays Gypsies and Travelling people as individual characters and you get a more real life account of what life is really like living in these communities. It is what makes Miriam Wakerly books well worth reading.
I am looking forward to returning to Appley Green in Miriam Wakerly’s novel Shades of Appley Green.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews