Liverpool Annie

by Maureen Lee

Annie Harrison's childhood is full of contrasts. From the crowded family existence of her uncle and aunt's house to misery with her reclusive mother, she eventually goes to live in the Grand Hotel with a rich school friend. Marriage to the dependable Laurie follows and, when her husband dies, she throws herself into providing for her 2 children. Starting at the bottom with a market stall she discovers a talent for designing clothes that develops into a successful business. But there comes a time amidst the success when things happen to make Annie feel she can no longer go on. Then a chance meeting leads to events she has no control over, and at last she finds the happiness that has previously eluded her.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

560 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Maureen Lee was born in Bootle, England, UK, near Liverpool during the World War II. She attended Commercial College and became a shorthand typist. She married Richard, and they had three sons, now adults. The last years the marriage lives in Colchester, Essex.

During years, she published over one hundred and fifty short-stories, before published her first novel Lila in 1983. She continued published dramatic historical sagas mainly setting in Liverpool since 1994. In 2000, her novel Dancing in the Dark won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Recommended.

[Sophia Loves to read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maureen Lee never fails to keep me intrigued with her novels . Loved this story and can't wait to start my next Maureen Lee book.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read as with all of Maureen's books, although not one of my favourites. Liverpool Annie is the life story of Annie Harrison. I found it engaging but a bit of a marathon to read, the story is full of life events, births, deaths and marriages. So much happens to Annie that I felt my own life lacks and is boring in comparison. All her relationships are incredibly complicated and full of ups and downs. The story spans the years from 1945 to 1991 from when Annie is a small girl till she's in her fifties. I found it a emotional and exhausting read.

[Sharon Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Maureen Lee write anything other than just brilliant? I really don't think so!

Maureen Lee is a writer on another level, she has such a talent of pulling you so deep into the story, that it's like your actually in the story yourself.

I personally could relate to many of the feelings, and events that Annie went through in her life, and even though these feelings and events are fiction, you feel not as alone in your own circumstances.

I loved the way it was suggested in part of the story, that being perfect all the time was not necessarily the right thing for your children, and that happiness can still be found even though you and your family might not be perfect.

I was sad to see this story end, I had looked through a window and been following Annie's life for so long, that I missed her.
This is a fantastic book, that I would highly recommend to anyone - you will not be disappointed.

[Carol Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing... I read and rated this book 3 stars in 2015? I’ve just re read it giving it a well deserved five stars! What’s Amazing? The difference your mood, tolerance & concentration levels can totally change the way you react or even interpret a book. This time I found it a wonderful book about the lifelong friendship between two Schoolgirls until grandma Hood! It starts happily but soon descends into a horrific darkness which can’t help but shape the lives of two young sisters. Luckily their extended family, especially Auntie Dot & Uncle Bert are able to help relieve a little of the pressure.
It’s a story where lessons about friendship and learning to know and accept yourself can be learned. I wish there was another Maureen Lee coming up 🙏

[Sally Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book & it captured my attention straight away following Annie as her life unfolded. The warmth from Maureen´s characters draw you in & their relationships between each other. Annie was such a strong soul & this was shown from early on as she took on responsibility of her family & many couldn´t have coped.I liked her friendship with Sylvia & parents & even though they were so different the two girls bonded so well.
The book draws to an end & i was pleased with the outcome.I ended up feeling i knew them all so well & felt it was one of the best stories.I shut the book with an "ah,that was brill"!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Возможно, в конце концов, — с надеждой подумала Энни, — наивность все-таки возьмет верх». Она почему-то была уверена, что большинство людей хотят именно этого.


Она поняла, что именно изменилось во внешности сестры. Мари не делала подтяжку лица. Просто впервые в жизни она действительно светилась от счастья.

[SaraMondaini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and all of its characters. I lost myself in its pages for many an hour and didn’t want it to end. The writing is beautiful and full of warmth. I have loved everyone book I have picked up by Maureen Lee and this one is my favourite so far

[Mrs A Lovejoy-Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story

All of life is in this story: it touched me deeply. The many complications of motherhood, marriage and friendship are explored - if you're a mother you'll see yourself here.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Literally "un-put-down-able".
Loved every page.

[Mansi Nandwani · Rating 1 out of 5]

Liverpool Annie is the life story of Annie who has had a difficult childhood. With emotionally unavailable parents and an obstinate younger sister Marie, Annie has mellowness and prudence thrust upon her when she should have running around carefree like little girls are supposed to do. When Annie meets Sylvia, daughter to rich parents with a marriage that is ideal on the outside and crumbling on the inside, Annie finds a companion, a confidante she has been longing for. In time, Annie finds love in Lauri but loses him to death before they can find happiness together. Dejected, but determined not to let despair touch her children, Annie sets out once again to bring back the joy that has gone from their lives.

Brilliant plot, if you ask me! It had all the right ingredients for a compelling saga and some admirable character development. However, it lost its charm very quickly and it all went downhill from there. Annie spends all her life living up to someone else's version of herself. Sylvia and Marie walk all over her and she never, for once, takes a definitive stand. Deaths of some very important characters are dealt with insensitively and in mere paragraphs while entire chapters are devoted to completely random information. Toxic relationships are sustained till the very end which only added to my disappointment.

It was interesting in the beginning, lousy in the middle and downright intolerable towards the end. I somehow dragged myself to the end hoping the characters will find a way to redeem themselves but I was extremely disappointed. A brilliant plot wasted on unworthy characters.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one disappointed me because I didn't realize it would encompass decades up to the 90's! I also didn't think the story was terribly engrossing. Think I'll be giving Maureen Lee a miss for awhile.

[Joan Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant no other word for it

This book was so well written I could visualise every character and relive my life from the story,also relate because it was all about my time of life and every thing was so well described ,now to look for another Maureen Lee Book .

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but did feel it dragged on.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the book, but the story line was a little slow.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book with its twists and turns. Totally recommend it. Well written as usual by Maureen Lee.

[Mary Sellevold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about the lives of the famillies in Liverpool during the second world war

[Yvonne Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found the story to long and lost interest. Would maybe have been better split into two books

[Lucy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoyed, amazing tales that weaved in and out throughout annie’s life. highly recommend

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an interesting book

[Cecile Paddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Maureen Lee. I just love the characters she creates with words! We all need an Auntie Dot.

[Jean St.Amand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course it's an excellent story, it's Maureen Lee!!

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read about three of this author's novels and I liked each one. She writes about Liverpool, where she was born and the books tend to saga-type novels.

Back Cover Blurb:
Annie Harrison's Liverpool childhood is full of contrasts. From the happy, crowded atmosphere of her uncle and aunt's house to the lonely seclusion of life with her reclusive mother, she eventually goes to live at The Grand Hotel with her rich school friend, Sylvia. Yet life is full of excitement, too as she discovers rock 'n' roll at the Cavern Club, and hear the Beatles play live for the first time.
Then, just as Annie seems to be settling down to a comfortable life of marriage and motherhood, fate deals her an unexpected blow, leaving her to draw on resources she didn't know she possessed. As she struggles to cope amidst almost overwhelming odds, a chance meeting leads to events she has no control over. Could this be Annie's chance for happiness?

[Nicole C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in this story are really well developed and crafted. It was an interesting read and some scenes - the most traumatic one of her parents-- was really well written. It was a very visual scene and there were others like it too, which I felt was horrible because it was so tragic.
It did feel a little long but overall was a really good read.

[Aarti]

False

[Sarah Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre but read based on my Grandad’s recommendation. A long book but worth the read

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. It was my first read of Maureen lee's work & it won't be my last.