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Lights of Liverpool
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 boy named Seamus. Hardworking and good-hearted, they cling together and help each other, and a whole community.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, and all her own way. But what really lies behind her desire to live on the posh side of the street.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 the ships of the Spanish Armada.Brilliant storytelling that is perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries' The Four Streets or Maureen Lee.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
18 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Hamilton
52 books46 followersRuth 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...)
(source: http://www.panmacmillan.com/author/ru...)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 17, 2015
What an amazing book! I part read and part listened under Amazon's Kindle/Audible 'whispersync' system.
It follows the fortunes of a handful of Irish immigrant families, seemingly unconnected at first. It is set in the fifties and sixties with glimpses of the Krays in London's East End and John Lennon in his 'Quarrymen' days. The setting of post-war Liverpool is really interesting. The families are connected as becomes clear from early on.
Without being too sentimental, the writing is warm, affectionate and often extremely funny - I laughed through much of it, and was very sad to finish it. It has elements of the Scouse and Irish sense of humour that made it hard not to engage with the characters like they were close friends.
Beautiful, warm, affectionate, funny and with a few stories intertwining - each to a credible and happy conclusion.
It follows the fortunes of a handful of Irish immigrant families, seemingly unconnected at first. It is set in the fifties and sixties with glimpses of the Krays in London's East End and John Lennon in his 'Quarrymen' days. The setting of post-war Liverpool is really interesting. The families are connected as becomes clear from early on.
Without being too sentimental, the writing is warm, affectionate and often extremely funny - I laughed through much of it, and was very sad to finish it. It has elements of the Scouse and Irish sense of humour that made it hard not to engage with the characters like they were close friends.
Beautiful, warm, affectionate, funny and with a few stories intertwining - each to a credible and happy conclusion.
October 14, 2016
Any stories with links to Liverpool / Irish draw me in. I really enjoyed this book about Rosh and her struggles following the loss of husband.
I'm finding with Ruth Hamilton books, there is a rambly element with the characters (usually women's) dialogue. I don't think it's necessary.
It doesn't however take away from an good story with engaging characters, women always come through very strongly and I think that's great.
I'm finding with Ruth Hamilton books, there is a rambly element with the characters (usually women's) dialogue. I don't think it's necessary.
It doesn't however take away from an good story with engaging characters, women always come through very strongly and I think that's great.
July 14, 2012
Books Like these are My Favourite .. Brill Read :)
December 2, 2017
Gripping novel retelling the lives of three families living around Liverpool, each descendant of the Riley family from Ireland, many of whose members had gone to Liverpool, whence they had dispersed around the world and lost contact one with the other. Set in the post-war era, the novel documents their attempts to reconnect with one another while they struggle with gang feuds in London, the sudden death of a beloved husband and father of three, and the near-breakdown of a long marriage.
The plot is constructed beautifully and the reader is left feeling great empathy for each of the characters as they navigate difficult times in their relationships and circumstances. It is a real page-turner and reads well.
The only disappointment of the book is that the ending seems untimely and a mere afterthought: the reader is led to believe that the culmination of the plot will be the reuniting of these families, when in fact this is described in very few pages at the end, with no substantive interrelationship described between the three. It would have been pleasing, the reader having built such a close familiarity with the characters only within the context of their own families, had we seen their exchanges with the other families in the novel. Similarly, the plot builds great expectations for Paddy's trip to London, only for it to go safely with no unexpected twists. It is also disappointing that although some family members unknowingly meet each other during the course of the plot, the reunion is nothing less than preprepared and organised; the most eventful part of it is a timid brawl between a few unknown and unnamed guests.
It is a shame, in other words, that a plot so beautiful and carefully-constructed, set in an enchanting period with such likeable characters, does not reach its full potential fruition. Nevertheless, the novel is still thoroughly enjoyable and well-written.
The plot is constructed beautifully and the reader is left feeling great empathy for each of the characters as they navigate difficult times in their relationships and circumstances. It is a real page-turner and reads well.
The only disappointment of the book is that the ending seems untimely and a mere afterthought: the reader is led to believe that the culmination of the plot will be the reuniting of these families, when in fact this is described in very few pages at the end, with no substantive interrelationship described between the three. It would have been pleasing, the reader having built such a close familiarity with the characters only within the context of their own families, had we seen their exchanges with the other families in the novel. Similarly, the plot builds great expectations for Paddy's trip to London, only for it to go safely with no unexpected twists. It is also disappointing that although some family members unknowingly meet each other during the course of the plot, the reunion is nothing less than preprepared and organised; the most eventful part of it is a timid brawl between a few unknown and unnamed guests.
It is a shame, in other words, that a plot so beautiful and carefully-constructed, set in an enchanting period with such likeable characters, does not reach its full potential fruition. Nevertheless, the novel is still thoroughly enjoyable and well-written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2019
Great storytelling here. Ruth Hamilton has several balls bouncing around at once all gelling beautifully.
I’ve only read two of her books & the reason for the low rating is her very poor attempts at humour! She just plain over does it. However everyone’s Sense of that is different, you may find it hilarious?
I’ve only read two of her books & the reason for the low rating is her very poor attempts at humour! She just plain over does it. However everyone’s Sense of that is different, you may find it hilarious?
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October 10, 2020We all are Liverpool Irish
Great captivating story of family, great interwoven tales which I thoroughly enjoyed. Look forward to more of Ruth's books. I certainly recommend this one
Great captivating story of family, great interwoven tales which I thoroughly enjoyed. Look forward to more of Ruth's books. I certainly recommend this one
April 19, 2020
I loved this book as it took me back to the swinging sixties with references to the early days of the Beatles. An interesting tale of a family arriving from Ireland to settle in Liverpool. Sometimes predictable especially towards the end.
January 23, 2023
I picked 'The Lights of Liverpool' at a book fair and I began reading it because it was the one on top. And right from the start, the book had me captivated. I love how the author has depicted the lives of the Irish in Liverpool with simple pictures of their everyday lives and daily emotions.
Usually, the I read a work of fiction, the characters are larger than life but the beauty of this book was that the characters were regular people with regular families, up against the world with struggles that are so real and relatable.
The book begins with a wedding in the O'Neil family before coursing into the family's sad history and a tense turn of events. I loved Paddy O'Neil(neé Riley) and the way in which she handled the whole rather dysfunctional family, right from Maureen, her temperamental daughter to Seamus, her youngest grandchild who had to be protected from getting into bad company and venture into London's dark East side.
The book then tells about a widow named Rosh Allen, drowning in grief yet held together by her family and a neighbour with a troubled past. This family had some of the best banter and I loved their whole dynamic, right from romances to careers to tolerating each other.
The third family is that of Tess and Don Compton, on the verge of separation yet held together by some unknown force(psst....Love....) This family had the best growth. Tess comes across as a very unlikeable character but her development is really heart warming and one starts rooting for her. Don is a sweetheart despite his flaws.
And that's the book. Three families, three different lives, yet all connected.
The story courses through the after effects of World War 2, tough conversations in marriages, the importance of communication, childhood curiosities and wonders, encounters with serial killers and the thirst to prove ones worth in the world, and so much more, all combined in one of the sweetest stories that I've read.
I'm usually a reader of crime and all things convoluted but this family drama was just what I needed. It made me feel all my emotions and left me smiling and the fact that I couldn't put it down was something that took me by surprise. I also learned a lot about Liverpool and the place is on my bucket list now.
All in all, this is an emotional read and is great for simply relaxing with a good story.
Usually, the I read a work of fiction, the characters are larger than life but the beauty of this book was that the characters were regular people with regular families, up against the world with struggles that are so real and relatable.
The book begins with a wedding in the O'Neil family before coursing into the family's sad history and a tense turn of events. I loved Paddy O'Neil(neé Riley) and the way in which she handled the whole rather dysfunctional family, right from Maureen, her temperamental daughter to Seamus, her youngest grandchild who had to be protected from getting into bad company and venture into London's dark East side.
The book then tells about a widow named Rosh Allen, drowning in grief yet held together by her family and a neighbour with a troubled past. This family had some of the best banter and I loved their whole dynamic, right from romances to careers to tolerating each other.
The third family is that of Tess and Don Compton, on the verge of separation yet held together by some unknown force(psst....Love....) This family had the best growth. Tess comes across as a very unlikeable character but her development is really heart warming and one starts rooting for her. Don is a sweetheart despite his flaws.
And that's the book. Three families, three different lives, yet all connected.
The story courses through the after effects of World War 2, tough conversations in marriages, the importance of communication, childhood curiosities and wonders, encounters with serial killers and the thirst to prove ones worth in the world, and so much more, all combined in one of the sweetest stories that I've read.
I'm usually a reader of crime and all things convoluted but this family drama was just what I needed. It made me feel all my emotions and left me smiling and the fact that I couldn't put it down was something that took me by surprise. I also learned a lot about Liverpool and the place is on my bucket list now.
All in all, this is an emotional read and is great for simply relaxing with a good story.
October 8, 2012
It was one of my holiday reads and for that reason I continued. It was about the loss of a much loved husband in the prime of his life. The struggles of Irish families settling in Liverpool, and poverty was the reason given why some family members behaved badly to each other. it was an interesting read that I can not jump up and down about but Im pleased I read it..
November 8, 2012
Enjoyable but a little hard going at times....
May 3, 2013
Too many characters within a family tree, it got very confusing.
September 11, 2014
What can I say I love Ruth Hamilton, her books always draw me in and I always want to read just one more page!!
April 10, 2016
It wasn't one of my favourite books.
July 30, 2013
A depressing read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews