A Liverpool Song

by Ruth Hamilton

Three families in post-war Liverpool, connected by history, separated by circumstance.

The O'Neils, who have lost brothers and sons into the bowels of London's East End, keep watch over their one remaining young male, a delightful boy named Seamus. Hardworking and good-hearted, they cling together and help not just each other, but a whole community of dock workers.

Meanwhile, Rosh Allen mourns the loss of Phil, her dearly-beloved husband. Aided and impeded by her mother, Anna, she struggles to raise three fatherless children. With the help of a kind-hearted neighbour, her wounds begin to heal, and she begins to take the first faltering steps into 'normality'.

Tess and Don Compton are on the verge of separation. An apparently greedy and selfish woman, Tess wants a semi-detached house, a Skaters' Trails carpet and all her own way. But what really lies behind her desire to live on the posh side of the St? And despite everything why can’t Don hate her?

Behind the three families, two men are at work. One will do serious damage; the other will reunite a clan that goes all the way back to Ireland and to ancestors thrown ashore from ships of the Spanish Armada.

Hardcover

First published May 9, 2013

About the author

Ruth Hamilton was one of North West England's most popular writers. She was the bestselling author of twenty-five novels, including Spinning Jenny, The Bells of Scotland Road, Mulligan's Yard, Mersey View and That Liverpool Girl. She was born in Bolton, which is the setting for many of her novels, and spent most of her life in Lancashire.

(source: http://www.panmacmillan.com/author/ru...)

Reviews

[Chris Gurney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The above synopsis is not the correct one for this book.

Andrew Sanderson, brilliant surgeon and musician, is grieving the death of his wife Mary, when his younger daughter turns up on his doorstep, having left her philandering husband. Before long the house is overrun with family, and a boisterous stray dog called Storm. Andrew reminisces about his past, and the love he once shared with his wife. He begins to realise he has to let go of his grief and embrace tomorrow.

I enjoyed parts of this book, but it is very disjointed with the story running off in different directions and different periods of time. I didn't feel like it came together satisfactorily. The ending felt to me like a tag on with not much meaning to it all and focusing on a character who I had difficulty remembering even, in the story.

[Ankit Dhankad · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s such a big soap opera. Unrealistic larger than life characters in a very original setting.

The lead character was a best pianist, best carpenter, best surgeon, best lover, best son, best in looks, an OBE. I’m surprised author didn’t make him the the president of the world, PM of UK or something.

Tried to added few complications to make life realistic. Family is also perfect. Perfect humans. Perfect marriage or perfect looks.

Not my cup of tea

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tough but enjoyable read.

[Andrea Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not my normal genre, but as a break away from blood and guts, I could have done worse ...
A good family drama with all the ups and downs , births, deaths, and marriage. Nice easy read

[Emma Hollingworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a very tough read to get through which I think is down to both the long chapters and the disjointed way the plot skips between past and present. However, when you get past these difficulties it is a beautiful testament to love.

You really need to dedicate hours at a time to this book if you’re the type of person that cannot stop reading part way through a chapter, so I found it difficult to fit it into my days. Having said that, it is well worth the effort of reading it as I thoroughly enjoyed the trip down memory Lane that Andrew took, as well as delving into the inner workings of the present day relationships.

The true passion and love that the characters had for their SO was beautiful and full of acceptance, hut Ruth Hamilton shows that this sometimes comes at a cost. Although I loved their relationship, Andrew and Mary made little time for their children, who essentially had to bring themselves up however the love they had for their children was never in question. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Andrew and Anaya’s budding romance 11(?) years after Mary’s death showing the differences between a new love when you are younger versus in later years.

Emily, Geoff and Joe are another relationship that was presented so well in these books, showing how one can accept and love another while not letting resentment and hatred in even if it could be valid. They became a unit and supported each other throughout everything and remained their pillars of strength.

I’ve only rated this 3 stars as I found it a difficult but rewarding read, and their are some aspects that I really didn’t like in this book. For example Geoff and Andrew both being so sure that they would have the woman they wanted even though she continuously said no and was married/engaged. I didn’t like reading this pressure, even though they both ended in happy content relationships.

I also felt like the reveal of Eva’s grandchild, actually being Andrew’s grandchild pointless as it added nothing to the plot or character development and was just slipped in at the end of the book.

[Keith Jacobsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whirlwind of credible life-affirming characters!