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Tara
Can you ever be free from the past?
In the East End, twelve-year-old Tara witnesses her villain of a father almost kill her mother. She forges a determination then and there to change her life.
This is the story of three beautiful and talented women. Mabel, whose great love for a gambling man has brought her close to insanity; gentle Amy, who marries a man brutalised by war and failure; and Tara, who is hungry for success and life on her own terms.
To have both, she must battle against the legacy these two women have left her, the deep prejudices and dangers of Whitechapel in the 1960s - with its gang leaders, rogues, market traders and dolly birds - and the passionate love she has had since girlhood for the charming wideboy and villain, Harry Collins.
In the East End, twelve-year-old Tara witnesses her villain of a father almost kill her mother. She forges a determination then and there to change her life.
This is the story of three beautiful and talented women. Mabel, whose great love for a gambling man has brought her close to insanity; gentle Amy, who marries a man brutalised by war and failure; and Tara, who is hungry for success and life on her own terms.
To have both, she must battle against the legacy these two women have left her, the deep prejudices and dangers of Whitechapel in the 1960s - with its gang leaders, rogues, market traders and dolly birds - and the passionate love she has had since girlhood for the charming wideboy and villain, Harry Collins.
720 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
152 people are currently reading
948 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Pearse
71 books2,212 followersLesley Pearse is one of the UK's best-loved novelists with fans across the globe and sales of over 2 million copies of her books to date. A true storyteller and a master of gripping storylines that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end, Pearse introduces you to characters that it is impossible not to care about or forget. There is no formula to her books or easily defined genre. Whether crime as in 'Till We Meet Again', historical adventure like 'Never Look Back', or the passionately emotive 'Trust Me', based on the true-life scandal of British child migrants sent to Australia in the post war period, she engages the reader completely.
Truth is often stranger than fiction and Lesley's life has been as packed with drama as her books. She was three when her mother died under tragic circumstances. Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused - their mother had been dead for some time. With her father in the Royal Marines, Lesley and her older brother spent three years in grim orphanages before her father remarried - a veritable dragon of an ex army nurse - and Lesley and her older brother were brought home again, to be joined by two other children who were later adopted by her father and stepmother, and a continuing stream of foster children. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley's early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. It was an extraordinary childhood and in all her books, Lesley has skilfully married the pain and unhappiness of her early experiences with a unique gift for storytelling.
Truth is often stranger than fiction and Lesley's life has been as packed with drama as her books. She was three when her mother died under tragic circumstances. Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused - their mother had been dead for some time. With her father in the Royal Marines, Lesley and her older brother spent three years in grim orphanages before her father remarried - a veritable dragon of an ex army nurse - and Lesley and her older brother were brought home again, to be joined by two other children who were later adopted by her father and stepmother, and a continuing stream of foster children. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley's early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. It was an extraordinary childhood and in all her books, Lesley has skilfully married the pain and unhappiness of her early experiences with a unique gift for storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 6, 2014
Nutty NUUT read. One of the first books I loaded onto this trusty and belovéd reader.Noooo idea what it is about - it's like stick your hand in the barrel and see what comes out.
strapline: Can you ever be free from your past?
From the synopsis: In the East End, twelve year old Tara witnesses her villain of a father almost kill her mother.
Dedication:
In memory of Ralph Pearse, my father-in-law
one of nature's gentlemen.
It was Ralph who inspired me to use
Chew Magna in Somerset as a setting for
part of the story. He was born and grew up there,
and to all of us who loved him
he will always be there.
Opening: Whitechapel, London, 1960
Tell yer Dad I want the rent tonight. Or Else!
#33 TBR Busting 2013
This is 'Stenders before there was Eastenders, all domestic strife with accompianing black eyes and bruises. And there is a music track...
Jailhouse Rock: http://youtu.be/gj0Rz-uP4Mk
Shakin' All Over: http://youtu.be/4aBE1CcTH1U
UGLEH: Too much domestic violence here. Dut-doh!
September 8, 2022
" Vamos ter sempre a avó no coração, mas isto não significa que tenhamos de passar o resto da vida a termos medo de ser felizes "
June 26, 2016
This is one of my all time favourite books, I have read this book at least 6 times... at least once a year since I first read it. I absolutely love the story, finding out how each of the 3 generations coped with the tragedies that happened in their lives, reading how they have coped with them and about how they affect their current lives and relationships. Each character is so well defined that I can clearly picture them as I'm reading; the stunning red-golden haired beauty Tara, her handsome muscular bad boy boyfriend, her blonde equally beautiful mother and aged grandmother who in her youth was equally as beautiful and each of their friends. Each time I read this book I notice something different and get as drawn in as the first time. I cant put this book down until I finish it... other than when I have to work of course and go to bed.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a book to draw them in, keep them in suspense, make them laugh and cry out loud and fall in love with each character, whilst keeping you guessing at what will happen next.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a book to draw them in, keep them in suspense, make them laugh and cry out loud and fall in love with each character, whilst keeping you guessing at what will happen next.
July 22, 2022
Quando início um livro de Lesley Pearse sei que vou encontrar personagens femininas fortes mas com histórias de vida muito duras e este não foi excepção.
Neste novo livro de Lesley Pearse vamos conhecer a jovem Tara mas também a história da sua mãe, Amy, e da sua avó Mabel. Mulheres lutadoras mas que, de algum modo se encontram ligadas à violência. Mas Tara quer quebrar essa "maldição" e perseguir o seu sonho de trabalhar no mundo da moda.
Uma história onde descobrimos cada uma das três mulheres da família e como, cada uma, foi lidando com o amor, com as desilusões e tragédias, bem como o amor. Temos cenas muito duras e tristes, que me deixaram com um aperto no coração, mas também momentos de superação das personagens.
Um livro com uma história sobre três mulheres lutadoras!
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
Neste novo livro de Lesley Pearse vamos conhecer a jovem Tara mas também a história da sua mãe, Amy, e da sua avó Mabel. Mulheres lutadoras mas que, de algum modo se encontram ligadas à violência. Mas Tara quer quebrar essa "maldição" e perseguir o seu sonho de trabalhar no mundo da moda.
Uma história onde descobrimos cada uma das três mulheres da família e como, cada uma, foi lidando com o amor, com as desilusões e tragédias, bem como o amor. Temos cenas muito duras e tristes, que me deixaram com um aperto no coração, mas também momentos de superação das personagens.
Um livro com uma história sobre três mulheres lutadoras!
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
November 20, 2022
"Isto não se vai embora. Ele dissera palavras que ela não sabia que queria ouvir. Não a frase batida do costume," Amo-te" ou "Quero-te", que poderia querer dizer hoje, mas não amanhã. Ele sabia que o que havia entre eles, fosse o que fosse, estaria com eles na semana seguinte, no ano seguinte, para sempre."
Mabel, Amy e Tara são três mulheres, três gerações de uma família de mulheres fortes e sofredoras. Três mulheres que sofreram por amor cada uma à sua maneira mas Tara vai lutar para vencer e ultrapassar todos os obstáculos que lhe aparecem. Será que vai conseguir?
Todos os romances de Lesley Pearse são feitos de altos e baixos. Quando está tudo em já fico à espera do que por aí vem para nós fazer sofrer.
Em suma, estou habituada ao "sofrimento" mas confesso que o início deste quase me levou a parar a leitura. Claro que não iria conseguir mas fiquei com o coração destroçado.
Ainda bem que não fiz porque este livro passou para o meu segundo preferido da autora.
Personagens marcantes, histórias de vida difíceis, superação e sobretudo integridade e muito amor, amor de todo o tipo. Amor que supera medos e incerteza. Amor que nos faz seguir em frente e lutar, contra tudo e todos.
Se ainda não leram, façam-no e conheçam estas mulheres incríveis. Nem sempre certas mas que agem sempre por amor.
Mabel, Amy e Tara são três mulheres, três gerações de uma família de mulheres fortes e sofredoras. Três mulheres que sofreram por amor cada uma à sua maneira mas Tara vai lutar para vencer e ultrapassar todos os obstáculos que lhe aparecem. Será que vai conseguir?
Todos os romances de Lesley Pearse são feitos de altos e baixos. Quando está tudo em já fico à espera do que por aí vem para nós fazer sofrer.
Em suma, estou habituada ao "sofrimento" mas confesso que o início deste quase me levou a parar a leitura. Claro que não iria conseguir mas fiquei com o coração destroçado.
Ainda bem que não fiz porque este livro passou para o meu segundo preferido da autora.
Personagens marcantes, histórias de vida difíceis, superação e sobretudo integridade e muito amor, amor de todo o tipo. Amor que supera medos e incerteza. Amor que nos faz seguir em frente e lutar, contra tudo e todos.
Se ainda não leram, façam-no e conheçam estas mulheres incríveis. Nem sempre certas mas que agem sempre por amor.
December 7, 2022
A história de três gerações da mesma família. Aprendem com os seus erros ou ficam presas num ciclo sem fim?
Acho que no início alguns flashbacks foram introduzidos abruptamente e algumas reviravoltas não foram assim tão inesperadas.
Valeu a pena a dor nos pulsos, mesmo assim. Adoro as descrições da época e o mundo da costura.
Acho que no início alguns flashbacks foram introduzidos abruptamente e algumas reviravoltas não foram assim tão inesperadas.
Valeu a pena a dor nos pulsos, mesmo assim. Adoro as descrições da época e o mundo da costura.
August 24, 2022
Muito bom como sempre, só demorei mais tempo a ler !
January 8, 2018
Well Lesley Pearse hasn’t disappointed me, I know when I pick up one of her books I will be transported in an adventure, full of sorrow, hurt but also courage and love, of course Tara had all the ingredients. It starts slow, it allows the reader to discover the characters’ background but half way through the novel it goes really fast. It is really worth it to stick with it. I really loved Amy character and really felt for her and desperately wanted to reach for her and hug her tight and tell her that everything will be alright. Tara is a novel about four generations of women who had to deal with villain men. It seems that all the family’s women had a curse, they attract the bad guys.
Annie/Tara had witness her father Bill almost killing her mother, there and then she sworn to not let any man hit her and control her life. She is a very talent girl, even at fifteen she can design and makes her clothes and wants to be a fashion designer. When she is eighteen she leaves to London and find her dream job. Her mother Amy and Grandmother are worry about her relationship with the villain Harry Collins. They don’t want her to repeat their mistakes but Tara is stubborn and ambitious, one day she wants to own her shop. How much is she ready to sacrifice? Are her mother and Grandmother right about Harry? Is Tara’s destiny already written or she will break the cruse?
Annie/Tara had witness her father Bill almost killing her mother, there and then she sworn to not let any man hit her and control her life. She is a very talent girl, even at fifteen she can design and makes her clothes and wants to be a fashion designer. When she is eighteen she leaves to London and find her dream job. Her mother Amy and Grandmother are worry about her relationship with the villain Harry Collins. They don’t want her to repeat their mistakes but Tara is stubborn and ambitious, one day she wants to own her shop. How much is she ready to sacrifice? Are her mother and Grandmother right about Harry? Is Tara’s destiny already written or she will break the cruse?
July 22, 2010
I have never read a bad book by this author. One of her best, imho, is Trust Me and I have recommended it to many people. Although her books tend to be on the big side, 600-700 pages, they are quick reads.
Back Cover Blurb:
This is the story of three beautiful and talented women. Mabel, whose great love for a gambling man has brought her close to insanity; gentle Amy, who marries a man brutalised by war and failure; and Tara, who is hungry for success and life on her own terms.
To have both, she must battle against the legacy these two women have left her, the deep prejudices and dangers of Whitechapel, London in the 1960s - with its gang leaders, rogues, market traders and dolly birds - and the passionate love she had had since girlhood for the charming wideboy and villain, Harry Collins.
Back Cover Blurb:
This is the story of three beautiful and talented women. Mabel, whose great love for a gambling man has brought her close to insanity; gentle Amy, who marries a man brutalised by war and failure; and Tara, who is hungry for success and life on her own terms.
To have both, she must battle against the legacy these two women have left her, the deep prejudices and dangers of Whitechapel, London in the 1960s - with its gang leaders, rogues, market traders and dolly birds - and the passionate love she had had since girlhood for the charming wideboy and villain, Harry Collins.
December 30, 2011
Even though I do not usually read such books, I found myself riveted from the start, desperate to find out whether Tara will seek happiness or not. Sometimes I only just wanted to hug her and reassure Tara that everything will turn out fine. The book is filled with some really unexpected twists sad, happy, sexy absolutely brilliant writing. This was my first book of Lesley but I have already bought 'Belle' and cannot wait to start it!
January 3, 2010
If you want to spend a week reading about a family of women in which generation after generation they allow themselves to be smacked around before just completely losing their minds, go for it! Didn't work for me at all. Each women does something just as stupid as the last.
April 11, 2011
Bearing in mind that this was one of Lesley Pearse's earlier novels, I found it a tad drawn out. I'm not convinced it needed 720 pages to get the story across. The ending was predictable, but pleasant. She has written many better novels since, but it was still an enjoyable, easy read.
May 11, 2013
Love Lesley Pearce because along with characters you instantly build an attachment to, the stories are more often than not set in different parts of history, giving you an insight into life for your grandparents, great grandparents and even further back.
December 11, 2016
I can't believe iv done it, iv read all of Lesley's books! I'm gutted but enjoyed every single one including Tara my latest read. Full of so many twists and so much detail as always! Over 700 pages in this book and I didn't loose interest once, this book kept me hooked from start to finish!
April 25, 2010
another brilliant story by Lesley Pearse
April 1, 2013
Harry. Harry. Harry.
March 27, 2017
Really intriguing book,great storyline love Lesley please books.
January 13, 2024
Será mais um 3,5*, mas só porque achei o livro demasiado extenso.
O livro conta-nos a estoria de 3 gerações de mulheres, todas elas com escolhas erradas no que toca a homens e que fizeram delas o que são agora. No entanto é Tara, a geração mais nova que está no centro do livro. Ela que sonha ser estilista um dia.
Com muitas perdas, algum drama e por vezes um volte face, é um livro que se lê bem e que nos mantém interessados até ao fim, embora ache que menos 200 paginas e o livro seria perfeito
O livro conta-nos a estoria de 3 gerações de mulheres, todas elas com escolhas erradas no que toca a homens e que fizeram delas o que são agora. No entanto é Tara, a geração mais nova que está no centro do livro. Ela que sonha ser estilista um dia.
Com muitas perdas, algum drama e por vezes um volte face, é um livro que se lê bem e que nos mantém interessados até ao fim, embora ache que menos 200 paginas e o livro seria perfeito
January 5, 2025
O que achar de um livro da Lesley Pearse? Intenso, cheio de emoções, mistério, sofrimento e amor.
November 8, 2025
Great read, very enjoyable
August 24, 2024
Este livro é um Lesley puro! Tudo é bom! A história, o enredo, as personagens, tudo!
Algumas coisas previsiveis, resultado de conhecer bem a autora, mas tão bem escrito que até cheguei a duvidar se tinha mesmo adivinhado.
Excelente!
Algumas coisas previsiveis, resultado de conhecer bem a autora, mas tão bem escrito que até cheguei a duvidar se tinha mesmo adivinhado.
Excelente!
March 11, 2018
Set in London in the 1960's. Enjoyable story of a grandmother, mother and Tara who is molded by them, but wants more. Quite exciting towards the end.
March 14, 2015
A good series of books and light reading for travelling etc. Tara tells the story of a hard East End life in the 60's and one womans escape from an abusive Father. It takes us through the fashion of the swinging sixties and Tara's goal to be a fashion designer, having come from nothing. Along the way history repeats itself with more abuse and then suspicion when she and her family are treated well. A good yarn.
February 13, 2015
The second book of Pearse's that I've read and though her books are lengthy, I really do enjoy them. 'Tara' is admittedly a bit of a saga with lots of romance and a never-ending cycle of sadness-triumph-sadness, but it is a well-written novel that I think the character will appeal (only?) to women. Full of passionate love-scenes, this is quite a read!
August 3, 2022
Ainda bem que não foi o primeiro livro que li da autora.
Teria sido o último.
Logo de início tenho a sensação de que estou a ler a mesma história de um dos seus últimos com outras palavras.
Depois, o enredo desenrola-se, enrola-se, desnecessariamente prolongado durante 734 páginas.
Quase insuportável.
Teria sido o último.
Logo de início tenho a sensação de que estou a ler a mesma história de um dos seus últimos com outras palavras.
Depois, o enredo desenrola-se, enrola-se, desnecessariamente prolongado durante 734 páginas.
Quase insuportável.
October 29, 2013
Another superb book by Lesley Pearse. I particularly enjoyed the focus on the three woman, even while the bulk of the story was about the youngest one. Just enough intrigue and danger to stop it being like a Mills & Boon. Thoroughly enjoying this author
June 10, 2015
I've never read a bad book by this author. When I started it I thought it was going to be to similar to one of her others however this wasn't the case. It's more a tale of family history and west end gangsters. I enjoyed it.
September 8, 2011
Loved the story of Tara and her family. This epic story keeps you gripped from start to finish.
April 22, 2013
A great read which transports you into another place and time. I couldn't put it down and it led to some late nights!
July 12, 2013
Page turner.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews