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She's Leaving Home
Teenage Helen and her friend Colette entertain hopes of escaping their lives in Liverpool through going to college. But Helen's family and their desire to keep her with them inhibit her, and when she meets a handsome American serviceman, she is forced to confront some awkward realities.
- GenresFiction
660 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 19, 2014
I tried my hardest to keep reading this book, but it was just too disappointing and dense. I feel as though the summary lied about what the book was about, as it described a young Jewish girl who loved the Beatles and grew up watching them in Liverpool while struggling with her Jewish heritage and her family. At the beginning of the book she does go to see the Beatles, but only because her friends are going. She doesn't even like them and her interior monologue in the Cavern is just about how ugly and overrated they are! After that initial scene they are never mentioned again. The writing was really dull too. About the only thing I enjoyed was learning about Jewish culture and Yiddish. Maybe if I hadn't gone in expecting more of a Beatles cameo I would have finished it.
February 4, 2008
I read this book as my mother recommended it to me.
What she remembered most about it was that "they went to see the Beatles. Oh, and she was Jewish."
Well, if mom liked it...
I enjoyed this book and the story it told, although it wasn't quite my idea of a good story or a happy ending.
It got a bit hard to read about mid-way through and it took longer than normal to finish the books.
I enjoyed the Yiddish, and found the explanations about Jewish cultural life easy to follow, interesting, and well-explained. The book was full of details, and I definitely feel like I've gained a new insight into this era.
What she remembered most about it was that "they went to see the Beatles. Oh, and she was Jewish."
Well, if mom liked it...
I enjoyed this book and the story it told, although it wasn't quite my idea of a good story or a happy ending.
It got a bit hard to read about mid-way through and it took longer than normal to finish the books.
I enjoyed the Yiddish, and found the explanations about Jewish cultural life easy to follow, interesting, and well-explained. The book was full of details, and I definitely feel like I've gained a new insight into this era.
August 22, 2022
Early 1960’s Liverpool coming-of-age novel about 4 grammar school girls. Lots about the politics, music, religion.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews