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Las chicas de septiembre
A través de la crónica de la vida de dos familias unidas por el azar, Maureen Lee nos ofrece un apasionante retrato de la vida en el norte de Inglaterra en la primera mitad del siglo XX.
Brenna, embarazada de ocho meses, llega junto a su marido Colm y sus dos hijos a Liverpool en busca de una vida mejor. Para esta familia de inmigrantes irlandeses, la década de 1920 es una época de terribles penurias y tienen esperanzas en que sus vidas cambien en Inglaterra. Pero las cosas no salen según lo previsto. Paddy, el hermano de Colm a quien habían mandado dinero para que les consiguiera una casa, no aparece. La familia deambula sin rumbo por esta inhóspita ciudad y de pronto Brenna empieza a sentir contracciones. Se sienta en el portal de una familia pudiente, y Nancy, el ama de llaves de los Allardyce, la invita a pasar y la ayuda enel parto. La casualidad quiere que esa misma noche de septiembre y en esa misma casa, Eleanor Allardyce dé a luz a una niña cuyo destino irá ligado, para siempre, al de la hija de Brenna.
Brenna, embarazada de ocho meses, llega junto a su marido Colm y sus dos hijos a Liverpool en busca de una vida mejor. Para esta familia de inmigrantes irlandeses, la década de 1920 es una época de terribles penurias y tienen esperanzas en que sus vidas cambien en Inglaterra. Pero las cosas no salen según lo previsto. Paddy, el hermano de Colm a quien habían mandado dinero para que les consiguiera una casa, no aparece. La familia deambula sin rumbo por esta inhóspita ciudad y de pronto Brenna empieza a sentir contracciones. Se sienta en el portal de una familia pudiente, y Nancy, el ama de llaves de los Allardyce, la invita a pasar y la ayuda enel parto. La casualidad quiere que esa misma noche de septiembre y en esa misma casa, Eleanor Allardyce dé a luz a una niña cuyo destino irá ligado, para siempre, al de la hija de Brenna.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2005
57 people are currently reading
868 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Lee
76 books274 followersMaureen 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 8, 2017
Acabado ✅ LAS CHICAS DE SEPTIEMBRE de Maureen Lee ⭐️3,5/5⭐️.
🔻🔻🔻
La historia se desarrolla durante los años antes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial hasta el fin de la misma. Podría parecer que las protagonistas son esas niñas que al principio del libro nacen en septiembre (de ahí el título del libro); pero el protagonismo pertenece a muchas mujeres que aparecen en él. Los personajes masculinos también tienen su trama, pero el peso importante se lo llevan los personajes femeninos. Todos ellos están unidos por lazos familiares o de amistad, o incluso de enemistad.
🔻🔻🔻
Increíble cómo a lo largo de la historia los diferentes personajes van cambiando en su forma de ser y pensar. Los que en un principio te parecen lo más dulce y sincero, se transforman en todo lo contrario o viceversa. Destaco el papel de Nancy, el ama de llaves, que se preocupa por todo el mundo, los cuida y protege más que a su propia vida.
🔻🔻🔻
La Guerra es una protagonista más. Los personajes se verán involucrados en ella de una u otra forma, participando directamente en ella o perjudicados en algún sentido, lo que hace a lo largo del relato que vayan y vengan.
🔻🔻🔻
En algunos momentos se me ha hecho largo y parecía que no avanzaba. Pero cuanto más me acercaba al final, menos ganas tenía de que se acabara... La sensación final ha sido bastante positiva; me ha gustado. Pero creo que el cierre de la historia es muy precipitado.
🔻🔻🔻
Si os gustan las historias de sagas familiares, este libro es ideal.
🔻🔻🔻
¿Lo habéis leído? ¿Qué os pareció?
🔻🔻🔻
#maureenlee #laschicasdeseptiembre #kindle
🔻🔻🔻
La historia se desarrolla durante los años antes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial hasta el fin de la misma. Podría parecer que las protagonistas son esas niñas que al principio del libro nacen en septiembre (de ahí el título del libro); pero el protagonismo pertenece a muchas mujeres que aparecen en él. Los personajes masculinos también tienen su trama, pero el peso importante se lo llevan los personajes femeninos. Todos ellos están unidos por lazos familiares o de amistad, o incluso de enemistad.
🔻🔻🔻
Increíble cómo a lo largo de la historia los diferentes personajes van cambiando en su forma de ser y pensar. Los que en un principio te parecen lo más dulce y sincero, se transforman en todo lo contrario o viceversa. Destaco el papel de Nancy, el ama de llaves, que se preocupa por todo el mundo, los cuida y protege más que a su propia vida.
🔻🔻🔻
La Guerra es una protagonista más. Los personajes se verán involucrados en ella de una u otra forma, participando directamente en ella o perjudicados en algún sentido, lo que hace a lo largo del relato que vayan y vengan.
🔻🔻🔻
En algunos momentos se me ha hecho largo y parecía que no avanzaba. Pero cuanto más me acercaba al final, menos ganas tenía de que se acabara... La sensación final ha sido bastante positiva; me ha gustado. Pero creo que el cierre de la historia es muy precipitado.
🔻🔻🔻
Si os gustan las historias de sagas familiares, este libro es ideal.
🔻🔻🔻
¿Lo habéis leído? ¿Qué os pareció?
🔻🔻🔻
#maureenlee #laschicasdeseptiembre #kindle
Want to read
November 8, 2017What a lovely book, this is her first novel I read and I completely, wholeheartedly loved it. Its a story about chance encounter of two different families in Liverpool, and how their lives get intertwined.
There is so much emotion and warmth in this book, the characters are so well written set during the second world war.
I am, for sure going to read more of her books, I am surprised by the reviews this book has got, surely way underrated.
Ill highly recommend this book, it's a simple story full of love and warmth.
Happy Reading!
:)
There is so much emotion and warmth in this book, the characters are so well written set during the second world war.
I am, for sure going to read more of her books, I am surprised by the reviews this book has got, surely way underrated.
Ill highly recommend this book, it's a simple story full of love and warmth.
Happy Reading!
:)
March 6, 2014
Withdrawn from Kent Arts and Libraries
Dedication: For Charlotte and Patrick with love
Acknowledgement: Norman Longmate's book 'How We Lived Then', describing in detail how civilians coped during the Second World War, proved extremely helpful while writing 'The September Girls'.
BookmarK : newly arrived postcard of San Francisco sent through from flister Hayes. Thankee.
Opening: It was raining. It had been raining when they left Ireland that morning, had rained on the boat and still rained now that they were in Liverpool waiting for Paddy to arrive and take them to the place where they were to live.
lovely seasonal quest read
3* The September Girls
3* September
3* The Last September
Dedication: For Charlotte and Patrick with love
Acknowledgement: Norman Longmate's book 'How We Lived Then', describing in detail how civilians coped during the Second World War, proved extremely helpful while writing 'The September Girls'.
BookmarK : newly arrived postcard of San Francisco sent through from flister Hayes. Thankee.
Opening: It was raining. It had been raining when they left Ireland that morning, had rained on the boat and still rained now that they were in Liverpool waiting for Paddy to arrive and take them to the place where they were to live.
lovely seasonal quest read
3* The September Girls
3* September
3* The Last September
January 6, 2023
A real beaut of a book! Love a good war saga anyways but really enjoyed how this was told through the eyes of women but also that it is not steeped in memories of the battlefield or the frontline. I am always fascinated by the war and what people endured both at home and for those that enlisted and this book brought that alive in such a brilliant way.
Cara and Sybil are born minutes apart on one September evening and as such their families become connected in a myriad of ways, spanning decades. All the characters are likeable and flawed in equal measures. There is a real depth to the relationships that are formed as the Caffery’s and Allerdyce’s become more immeshed with each other lives and this is a real strength in the book. The horrors of war are touched upon but what shines through is the very real sense of urgency, of life being so precious and finite because of war. There is loss and their are multiple examples of renewal which make for a read that is nostalgic, heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measures.
I loved Brenna in the beginning but as the book went on I was disappointed that she became more moany than a strong independent woman. Marcus Allerdyce gave me the ick big time but my imagination had a field day with all the dapper men in uniform! It was interesting that the Caffery lads were all burly, handsome and brooding yet the Allerdyce men were portrayed as weak, portly and flawed. I think it would have been nice to have seen a better balance in exploring the distinction between the two families and their different class backgrounds outside of the physical qualities.
All in all a really lovely book.
Cara and Sybil are born minutes apart on one September evening and as such their families become connected in a myriad of ways, spanning decades. All the characters are likeable and flawed in equal measures. There is a real depth to the relationships that are formed as the Caffery’s and Allerdyce’s become more immeshed with each other lives and this is a real strength in the book. The horrors of war are touched upon but what shines through is the very real sense of urgency, of life being so precious and finite because of war. There is loss and their are multiple examples of renewal which make for a read that is nostalgic, heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measures.
I loved Brenna in the beginning but as the book went on I was disappointed that she became more moany than a strong independent woman. Marcus Allerdyce gave me the ick big time but my imagination had a field day with all the dapper men in uniform! It was interesting that the Caffery lads were all burly, handsome and brooding yet the Allerdyce men were portrayed as weak, portly and flawed. I think it would have been nice to have seen a better balance in exploring the distinction between the two families and their different class backgrounds outside of the physical qualities.
All in all a really lovely book.
August 6, 2018
Una novela basada en las vivencias de dos familias, unidas por el azar, durante la segunda guerra mundial. De lectura fácil, que mantiene el interés por seguir la historia y saber que le pasa a cada personaje. Toca distintos temas, la emigración, la guerra y el papel de las mujeres, con escenas fuertes tratadas con sensibilidad con lo que no se hacen demasiado duras. Una novela que nos adentra en las penurias que se viven en las guerras y en la necesidad de luchar y supervivir apoyándose en la amistad.
March 30, 2022
Me ha gustado mucho, cuenta la historia de 2 familias que tienen vidas en paralelo para al final terminar las 2 familias unidas. Una historia de mucho tiempo,de varias generaciones y con muchos personajes hacia el final. De fácil lectura, y personajes muy tiernos y agradables. Lo único que me disgusto un poco, es que queda un final muy abierto con demasiadas preguntas sobre muchos personajes.
9/10
9/10
September 4, 2017
Una historia para pasar el rato. Llena de topicazos.
November 19, 2021
Es una novela sencilla llena de amor y calidez, que sigue las vidas de dos familias diferentes que se ven conectadas entre sí por nuevas relaciones que se crean, lazos familiares que surgen, vivencias que se comparten, alegrías y desgracias que tienen que vivir durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Una larga historia que termina con un final abierto. Nos deja algunos misterios como lo que realmente le pasa al bebé de Fergus, o si Cara se enamora, si Sybil llega sana y salva a casa de la India, lo que le ocurrió a Anthony en América, y el mayor de todos, si la predicción de Katie en el libro se hace realidad por completo, ya que Brenna espera que así sea. Quizás fue escrito de esta manera para preparar el camino de una segunda parte, o tal vez la autora nos invita usar nuestra propia imaginación y demos sus propios finales felices a estos personajes tan maravillosamente escritos. Me encantó el personaje de Nancy, creo que es el que enlaza con su bondad a los miembros de las dos familias.
Me parece una muy agradable lectura. Mi valoración es de 4 estrellas.
Una larga historia que termina con un final abierto. Nos deja algunos misterios como lo que realmente le pasa al bebé de Fergus, o si Cara se enamora, si Sybil llega sana y salva a casa de la India, lo que le ocurrió a Anthony en América, y el mayor de todos, si la predicción de Katie en el libro se hace realidad por completo, ya que Brenna espera que así sea. Quizás fue escrito de esta manera para preparar el camino de una segunda parte, o tal vez la autora nos invita usar nuestra propia imaginación y demos sus propios finales felices a estos personajes tan maravillosamente escritos. Me encantó el personaje de Nancy, creo que es el que enlaza con su bondad a los miembros de las dos familias.
Me parece una muy agradable lectura. Mi valoración es de 4 estrellas.
April 6, 2022
This is the first I've read from this author and it wasn't too bad of a read.
2 families joined together by 2 babies born in September. How their lives were intertwined as they grew up and how they got through WWII. I liked Cara's character and how she got on with everything that life threw at her. Sybil was completely different and not that likeable - the same as a lot of the other characters.
2 families joined together by 2 babies born in September. How their lives were intertwined as they grew up and how they got through WWII. I liked Cara's character and how she got on with everything that life threw at her. Sybil was completely different and not that likeable - the same as a lot of the other characters.
July 11, 2021
Una novela que engancha y enamora a partes iguales.
Una gran historia que nos hace recorrer la II Guerra Mundial de la mano de dos familias de Liverpool.
Sinceramente, no quería que acabase.
📖♥
Una gran historia que nos hace recorrer la II Guerra Mundial de la mano de dos familias de Liverpool.
Sinceramente, no quería que acabase.
📖♥
September 30, 2024
Buenas noches de #lunesdereseña te deseo 😉 a tí, que me lees 💜
Último día de septiembre, pasan los meses muy rápido! 🙃 Hemos dado la bienvenida al otoño hace unos días y mañana empezamos mes 😊
Terminé hace un par de días #laschicasdeseptiembre de #maureenlee
Es una novela ambientada en Liverpool en el periodo de entre guerras y con la segunda guerra mundial irrumpiendo de lleno en la vida de dos familias, dos hijas y un mismo destino.
1920, dos sagas familiares, una rica y otra pobre, un engaño y dos niñas de diferentes clases sociales que nacen en distintas circunstancias en la misma casa, con pocos minutos de diferencia.
Por circunstancias y a pesar de no ser muy afines, sus destinos se terminan uniendo tras una serie de encuentros y tramas familiares más que convulsas.
La buena de Nancy, que hace el papel de ama de llaves con su gran corazón termina mediando entre todos, haciendo la vida de estas familias bastante más llevaderas. Todos terminan recurriendo a ella y termina siendo el nexo de unión entre unos y otros 💜
A mí éste tipo de historias me gustan 🥰🍂🍂🍂
Pues es una historia bonita para leer este otoño o estas navidades 😊
Mi valoración 3,5/5
⭐⭐⭐✨
Último día de septiembre, pasan los meses muy rápido! 🙃 Hemos dado la bienvenida al otoño hace unos días y mañana empezamos mes 😊
Terminé hace un par de días #laschicasdeseptiembre de #maureenlee
Es una novela ambientada en Liverpool en el periodo de entre guerras y con la segunda guerra mundial irrumpiendo de lleno en la vida de dos familias, dos hijas y un mismo destino.
1920, dos sagas familiares, una rica y otra pobre, un engaño y dos niñas de diferentes clases sociales que nacen en distintas circunstancias en la misma casa, con pocos minutos de diferencia.
Por circunstancias y a pesar de no ser muy afines, sus destinos se terminan uniendo tras una serie de encuentros y tramas familiares más que convulsas.
La buena de Nancy, que hace el papel de ama de llaves con su gran corazón termina mediando entre todos, haciendo la vida de estas familias bastante más llevaderas. Todos terminan recurriendo a ella y termina siendo el nexo de unión entre unos y otros 💜
A mí éste tipo de historias me gustan 🥰🍂🍂🍂
Pues es una historia bonita para leer este otoño o estas navidades 😊
Mi valoración 3,5/5
⭐⭐⭐✨
January 20, 2016
I know I am always in for an engaging story when I read Maureen Lee and this book was no exception. We follow the lives of two very different families. The wealthy Allardyce family and the poor Caffrey clan. They first come together when Brenna Caffrey goes into labour on the back steps of the Allardyce home and is taken in by their housekeeper. Upstairs Eleanor Allardyce is also about to give birth. Two girls are born on the same day, no one is quite sure which one arrived first though. Eleanor and Brenna eventually become good friends and the two families are linked both by this friendship and also by the connection to housekeeper Nancy is sort of a mother hen to everyone in the book. The story follows both families through their highs and lows, from troubled marriages, to sick children. We follow the lives first of Eleanor and Brenna and with the start of the war Cara and Sybil become our main characters, though truth be told Cara is centre stage for most of the book. As the war goes on there are many tragedies and much sadness but there is also hope, romance, marriages, the births of children. The book toyed with my emotions many times, sometimes I would love Brenna, other times I just wanted to smack her. Out of all the characters the least likeable one and I just couldn't bring myself to like him from the start was Colm. He was weak willed and frankly not too bright despite how he tried to build himself up. I only wished Brenna would see him for what he was, but I guess nothing stops true love. Overall though I did enjoy this book, it never let up just when things looked as though they would settle down something else would happen and grab my attention again. My only complaint was the open ending. We never find out what's really wrong with Fergus's baby, or if Cara falls in love, if Sybil comes home safe and sound from India, and the biggest one of all, if Katie's prediction in the book completely comes true as Brenna so hopes it will. But perhaps it was written this way to pave the way for a sequel? Or maybe the readers can use their own imaginations and dream their own happy endings for these wonderfully written characters.
October 29, 2016
When I read this book, I am waiting and constantly waiting for something to happen, it made me really confused about everything. In the beginning, yes it is really good that makes me feel that I should go inside the book because of the betrayals like omygod!!! Then when their children goes to the army because of the war. All was mixed up, Cara decided to marry a guy he met, he died before the wedding.
And then she stayed at Marcus' house. And I am really surprised that they got married?! Oh geez! Okay so enough of that, what really surprised me that they even did "it" and she got pregnant?!?! I am waiting for Anthony to be at the story again, It seemed that I waited for nothing huhu. So Marcus died because of appendicitis when Cara was out.
I know this is confusing but this is really what I feel. And Cara's father? I am near the ending but I hated him to death! He ran away and got Lizzie pregnant and live with her?! And Cara is fine with that? Why? I hated them for that.
I expected the ending will make me feel alright about the book but nah, I am hanging off the edge. It seems like the author wants us to create our own ending.
All in all, the book made me feel mixed emotions, it was good actually but didn't really hook me up.
And then she stayed at Marcus' house. And I am really surprised that they got married?! Oh geez! Okay so enough of that, what really surprised me that they even did "it" and she got pregnant?!?! I am waiting for Anthony to be at the story again, It seemed that I waited for nothing huhu. So Marcus died because of appendicitis when Cara was out.
I know this is confusing but this is really what I feel. And Cara's father? I am near the ending but I hated him to death! He ran away and got Lizzie pregnant and live with her?! And Cara is fine with that? Why? I hated them for that.
I expected the ending will make me feel alright about the book but nah, I am hanging off the edge. It seems like the author wants us to create our own ending.
All in all, the book made me feel mixed emotions, it was good actually but didn't really hook me up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2019
Como que le estoy agarrando el gusto a las novelas de historias de familias.
La historia está bien contada (muy bien de hecho), pero ningún personaje me provocó alguna conexión. Ni sus alegrías me emocionaron, ni sus penas me dolieron (salvo una única muerte y la sensación fue breve).
Me pasé todo el libro esperando el "gran drama", ese nudo o giro que hiciera el libro más impactante. Hubo algunas sorpresas, pero son contadas en retrospectiva (como lectora, no experimenté el evento mientras estaba sucediendo), y eso, para mí le restó algo de garra al libro.
Pero nada, a ver si encuentro que leer que salga un poco de esta temática para refrescar mi cerebro.
La historia está bien contada (muy bien de hecho), pero ningún personaje me provocó alguna conexión. Ni sus alegrías me emocionaron, ni sus penas me dolieron (salvo una única muerte y la sensación fue breve).
Me pasé todo el libro esperando el "gran drama", ese nudo o giro que hiciera el libro más impactante. Hubo algunas sorpresas, pero son contadas en retrospectiva (como lectora, no experimenté el evento mientras estaba sucediendo), y eso, para mí le restó algo de garra al libro.
Pero nada, a ver si encuentro que leer que salga un poco de esta temática para refrescar mi cerebro.
June 18, 2011
Cara and Sybil, born in the same house but classes apart. On one side you have the Allardyce's who are wealthy and on the other there are the Caffrey's who start as down and outs but build themselves up to be a respectable working class family.
Nancy is central to both families, she is there for them, their children. Outside of the family there is Fielding who we are led to believe have died along with Kit in the Malta bombing but when Cara visits her in London we realise that is not the case much to my relief, she really is great fun.
I cannot fault this book, a true gem.
Nancy is central to both families, she is there for them, their children. Outside of the family there is Fielding who we are led to believe have died along with Kit in the Malta bombing but when Cara visits her in London we realise that is not the case much to my relief, she really is great fun.
I cannot fault this book, a true gem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2016
I enjoyed this story, it had a great story line and very likeable characters. It was a nice light summer read. There was one point in the story where I thought the Author had forgotten what she had said in a previous chapter but as it turned out she fooled me. Well written, I shall look for her books in the future. I also was surprised that one of the characters of the Irish family was named Tyrone as I thought that was a name for black people - however the origin of the name is Irish - here is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_T...
May 17, 2014
I really enjoyed this story following one families journey from Ireland to Liverpool at the end of WW1. A chance meeting with another household leaves two households entwined until death in a series of unpredictable life changing moments. This book follows each of the family member through the events of WW2 with an ending that left me incredibly squishy inside!
January 27, 2017
Absolutely brilliant book. Made me want to be alive in those days with all the families helping each other out. It was a totally different kind of world. A Great read that really does take you back in time.
October 24, 2016
Bonita y emotiva historia. Se lee rápidamente. Me ha gustado mucho.
August 23, 2023
1920, Liverpool
Brenna Caffrey gives birth to Cara .She is in thbe house of Marcus and Eleanor Allardyce. Eleanor gives birth to Sybil the same day.
Caffreys are Irish. Colm and Brenna have two boys, Tyrone and Fergus. Marcus married his boss's daughter. Eleanor has her iown money. They have a boy ,Anthony, who is deaf.Much later Anrhony is sent to a special school in Florida and loses contact with his family till 1945.
Brenna loses a newborn son. Eleanor has an affair with Anthony's tutor and has his baby, Jonathan.She and Marcus separate.
1939.
Tyrone got married at 18 to Maria. Now Maria and their younger son are killed in an air raid .Tyrone joins the merchant fleet.
1939-45
Both Cara and Sybil join the army. Sybil becomes an officer .Cara befriends Juliette Fielding, a budding actress. She meets Kit and they are to marry. But Kit is killed by a bomb on thne eve of their nuptuals.Cara returns to Liverpool, discharged , and goes for help to Nancy, Allardyce's housekeeper. She gives birth to Kitty.
Marcus and Eleanor are divorced. He doesn't feel well.
Cara goes to visit Juliette, who has lost her left arm in tne same bombing Kit died. Cara takes her friend back to Liverpool.The two families learn that Marcus is dead and his new wife- Cara- inherits his house ! She is also pregnant again- has a boy ,Sean.
Fergus, although near-sighted, serves in France and is wounded in his leg- discharged. He marries Juliette.
Tyrone and Sybil meet in Bombay .They plan to marry, too.
Rich family versus poor, betrayals of all kinds ,losses of children/ lives/ arms .Friendship between Nancy, Eleanor and Brenna. Eleanor making a living by her own ,later finding new love after the death of Jonathan and his friend Morag .During the war women joining the army, wanting to stand for Parliament and vote aged 21 (not 30 ) .
Brenna Caffrey gives birth to Cara .She is in thbe house of Marcus and Eleanor Allardyce. Eleanor gives birth to Sybil the same day.
Caffreys are Irish. Colm and Brenna have two boys, Tyrone and Fergus. Marcus married his boss's daughter. Eleanor has her iown money. They have a boy ,Anthony, who is deaf.Much later Anrhony is sent to a special school in Florida and loses contact with his family till 1945.
Brenna loses a newborn son. Eleanor has an affair with Anthony's tutor and has his baby, Jonathan.She and Marcus separate.
1939.
Tyrone got married at 18 to Maria. Now Maria and their younger son are killed in an air raid .Tyrone joins the merchant fleet.
1939-45
Both Cara and Sybil join the army. Sybil becomes an officer .Cara befriends Juliette Fielding, a budding actress. She meets Kit and they are to marry. But Kit is killed by a bomb on thne eve of their nuptuals.Cara returns to Liverpool, discharged , and goes for help to Nancy, Allardyce's housekeeper. She gives birth to Kitty.
Marcus and Eleanor are divorced. He doesn't feel well.
Cara goes to visit Juliette, who has lost her left arm in tne same bombing Kit died. Cara takes her friend back to Liverpool.The two families learn that Marcus is dead and his new wife- Cara- inherits his house ! She is also pregnant again- has a boy ,Sean.
Fergus, although near-sighted, serves in France and is wounded in his leg- discharged. He marries Juliette.
Tyrone and Sybil meet in Bombay .They plan to marry, too.
Rich family versus poor, betrayals of all kinds ,losses of children/ lives/ arms .Friendship between Nancy, Eleanor and Brenna. Eleanor making a living by her own ,later finding new love after the death of Jonathan and his friend Morag .During the war women joining the army, wanting to stand for Parliament and vote aged 21 (not 30 ) .
September 18, 2022
4 stars. I like Lee's books about Liverpool. They are always full of interesting characters and their stories. Brenna and Eleanor give birth to daughters on the same day in the same house. Eleanor is the mistress of the house and is married to a man who is cold and married her for her money. Brenna and her husband and sons had just arrived in Liverpool from Ireland, expecting his brother to meet them on arrival. When he wasn't there, they went searching for him until Brenna's going into labour forces them to look for help. The two girls, Sibyl and Cara are very different but are friends for most of their lives. WWII brings changes and havoc to Liverpool-both girls sign up for the Army, which takes them in different directions. The families continue to be close and Eleanor and Brenna havea lifelong friendship. This was a lovely read and I enjoyed it.
December 7, 2020
Wow, this book was really just a roller coaster of emotions. When I first read it I thought I'd better stop because there had not been any plot twists as of yet, till I got to the part where Paddy died. I was instantly hooked on and continued to read it. I have never seen such a great book with so many unexpected plot twists, from Cara's dad cheating on their mother with Lizzie Phelan, not once but twice, to Cara marrying Marcus and having a second child with him.
The ending could have been much better, but as I've read from other reviews the author had us imgaine our own ending and I think that's a pretty great way to end off a book
This book was definitely the right choice when I started reading it, and I highly recommend it to my fellow book worms.
The ending could have been much better, but as I've read from other reviews the author had us imgaine our own ending and I think that's a pretty great way to end off a book
This book was definitely the right choice when I started reading it, and I highly recommend it to my fellow book worms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
Una trágicacomedia
Poco falto para que también muriera la escritora en esta obra parecía que estaba leyendo las Noticias de actualidad todo dolor, todo tristeza y sombras por doquier no encontré un ápice de alegría o serenidad la narrativa principal de correrías y descriptiva simple tienden a contar vivencias reales de historia propia de la época que cómo cualquier guerra hay muchas un final cómo la obra sin esperanza ni sol al otro de la tapa final. Sin dejar nada abierto a la imaginación
Poco falto para que también muriera la escritora en esta obra parecía que estaba leyendo las Noticias de actualidad todo dolor, todo tristeza y sombras por doquier no encontré un ápice de alegría o serenidad la narrativa principal de correrías y descriptiva simple tienden a contar vivencias reales de historia propia de la época que cómo cualquier guerra hay muchas un final cómo la obra sin esperanza ni sol al otro de la tapa final. Sin dejar nada abierto a la imaginación
December 28, 2021
Novela publicada en 2005, cuya historia nos lleva al Liverpool de 1920 y finalizará en el mismo lugar tras el final también de la II Guerra Mundial en 1945.
En mi opinión, las chicas de septiembre a las que alude el título no son las principales protagonistas de la novela, sin embargo sus familias parecen predestinadas a unir lazos de por vida y condenadas a entenderse, por muy distintas que parezcan a simple vista. Por consiguiente, tenemos saga familiar asegurada.
Estoy de acuerdo con las reseñas de algunos lectores que afirman que los personajes evolucionan mucho a lo largo del libro, pues no parecen los mismos en absoluto por su manera de pensar y de actuar, sobre todo, debido a los golpes que le da la vida. Se ve claro que cada uno "recoge lo que siembra" y que la vida puede dar muchas vueltas y poner a cada uno en su lugar.
El estilo de la autora me recuerda, en ocasiones, a Isabel Allende por su manera de adelantar hechos futuros usando el tiempo Condicional, pero sin quitarle emoción a la trama, sino todo lo contrario, que motiva a continuar leyendo para averiguar más datos.
En el libro estás presentes el amor, la política, la música y, por supuesto, la guerra, que será el tema central sobre el que giren las vidas de todos los personajes, cuyas consecuencias impactarán directamente sobre ellos.
En cuanto a los escenarios donde surge la historia en Reino Unido son muy conocidos por la escritora, al igual que el tiempo de contienda que le tocó vivir cuando era muy joven.
Anteriormente he mencionado la música como uno de los temas recurrentes, ya que en todo el libro se citan muchas canciones de moda en esos años y también, aunque menos frecuente, el nombre de algunas películas y estrellas de cine de entonces. Ambos cine y música eran las principales formas de entretenimiento y socialización entre los jóvenes.
Por último, la novela me ha gustado mucho y no he parado hasta acabarla. Cuando estaba leyendo el último capítulo pensé que las historias de algunos personajes quedarían inconclusas, pero la autora nos cuenta sutilmente acerca de cada uno de ellos y lo que se calla habrá que intuirlo.
En mi opinión, las chicas de septiembre a las que alude el título no son las principales protagonistas de la novela, sin embargo sus familias parecen predestinadas a unir lazos de por vida y condenadas a entenderse, por muy distintas que parezcan a simple vista. Por consiguiente, tenemos saga familiar asegurada.
Estoy de acuerdo con las reseñas de algunos lectores que afirman que los personajes evolucionan mucho a lo largo del libro, pues no parecen los mismos en absoluto por su manera de pensar y de actuar, sobre todo, debido a los golpes que le da la vida. Se ve claro que cada uno "recoge lo que siembra" y que la vida puede dar muchas vueltas y poner a cada uno en su lugar.
El estilo de la autora me recuerda, en ocasiones, a Isabel Allende por su manera de adelantar hechos futuros usando el tiempo Condicional, pero sin quitarle emoción a la trama, sino todo lo contrario, que motiva a continuar leyendo para averiguar más datos.
En el libro estás presentes el amor, la política, la música y, por supuesto, la guerra, que será el tema central sobre el que giren las vidas de todos los personajes, cuyas consecuencias impactarán directamente sobre ellos.
En cuanto a los escenarios donde surge la historia en Reino Unido son muy conocidos por la escritora, al igual que el tiempo de contienda que le tocó vivir cuando era muy joven.
Anteriormente he mencionado la música como uno de los temas recurrentes, ya que en todo el libro se citan muchas canciones de moda en esos años y también, aunque menos frecuente, el nombre de algunas películas y estrellas de cine de entonces. Ambos cine y música eran las principales formas de entretenimiento y socialización entre los jóvenes.
Por último, la novela me ha gustado mucho y no he parado hasta acabarla. Cuando estaba leyendo el último capítulo pensé que las historias de algunos personajes quedarían inconclusas, pero la autora nos cuenta sutilmente acerca de cada uno de ellos y lo que se calla habrá que intuirlo.
February 2, 2023
Nice, nostalgic read seeing lives and generations go from before the war to the end.
A bit too much tragedy to be believed even in war time.
I really liked Brenna at the start but disliked her a lot by the end. The side characters were all great but again, some things were really hard to believe.
The ending seemed as though the author wanted a happy ending for whoever was left.
It started off strong. I wish the ending had matched.
Good one time read for anyone who likes reading about lives during the war.
A bit too much tragedy to be believed even in war time.
I really liked Brenna at the start but disliked her a lot by the end. The side characters were all great but again, some things were really hard to believe.
The ending seemed as though the author wanted a happy ending for whoever was left.
It started off strong. I wish the ending had matched.
Good one time read for anyone who likes reading about lives during the war.
August 30, 2019
Novela histórica ambientada en el Liverpool de 1920 que narra la historia de dos familias con el trasfondo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial.Los continuos saltos en el tiempo y la falta de profundidad de los personajes( salvo quizás las dos protagonistas femeninas) hacen que desconectes con la historia rápido.He estado todo el libro esperando un momento impactante sin que llegue a pasar nada reseñable , el desarrollo de la trama es muy lineal.
April 22, 2020
Es el primer libro que leo de esta autora y la verdad no creo que repita. Está bien escrito y resulta entretenido pero me esperaba más del final, y hay algunas cosas que no me convencen, como por ejemplo personajes que desaparecen y prácticamente no se vuelve a saber de ellos, y giros inesperados de la historia demasiado rocambolescos. Lo más interesante fue aprender cosas sobre la II Guerra Mundial.
November 22, 2020
Brilliant story
Another brilliant story from Maureen Lee the families she writes about that lived through the war in Liverpool were so resilient to all that was going on around them it m must have been terribly hard to have lost so many lives during this time,Maureen also mentions places i know quite well like Harwich and Colchester which are close to Suffolk where i live ,I've read over 20 of Maureen Lee books and never been disappointed.Thank you i have more to read.
Another brilliant story from Maureen Lee the families she writes about that lived through the war in Liverpool were so resilient to all that was going on around them it m must have been terribly hard to have lost so many lives during this time,Maureen also mentions places i know quite well like Harwich and Colchester which are close to Suffolk where i live ,I've read over 20 of Maureen Lee books and never been disappointed.Thank you i have more to read.
July 22, 2020
me encanta como escribe esta mujer son de esos libros que tengo guardados para esas epocas que no te engancha nada y ninguno te termina de convencer , son historias amientadas en este caso en la segunda guerra mundial muy bien contadas con su parte romantica, su intriga familiar y como hila los personajes , muy recomendable
January 22, 2022
I would normally enjoy a WWII novel, but this one was just meh. It was an OK read but I wouldn't rush to seek it out. The story didn't flow very well, none of the characters were particularly relatable or made me care about them, and the grammar and spelling mistakes made me wonder who on earth, if anyone, edited or proofread this book.
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