A Mother’s Sorrow: A gripping wartime story of family, hardship and love from the Queen of the Saga

by Margaret Dickinson

Three young women. Two families united. A bond that can’t be broken . . . Sheffield, 1892. Patrick Halliday rules his family with a rod of iron. He’s hard on both his wife and his elder daughter, Flora, but he spoils his youngest, Mary Ellen, because she reminds him of his beloved mother.When Mary Ellen, aged seventeen, finds that she is pregnant, Patrick throws her out of the family home and Flora goes with her. After wandering the Derbyshire countryside for miles, they find shelter on a farm, working for their keep.When Flora must return to her job as a buffer girl in Sheffield’s cutlery trade, she is reunited with her friend, Evelyn Bonsor. As both young women find love and fall pregnant, the Halliday and Bonsor families are united, despite the many trials that cross their paths.Then comes the Great War. Through hardship and tragedy, these two families must stick together to weather the storm . . .

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2024

About the author

Born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Margaret Dickinson moved to the coast at the age of seven and so began her love for the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape. Her ambition to be a writer began early and she had her first novel published at the age of twenty-five. This was followed by many further titles including Plough the Furrow, Sow the Seed and Reap the Harvest, which make up her Lincolnshire Fleethaven Trilogy. She is also the author of Fairfield Hall, Jenny's War and The Clippie Girls. Margaret is a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller.

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old fashioned family saga set during the years leading up to and including the First World War.
Strong female characters . An easy read .

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never has a book title been so apt!
It started off ok but it just ended up more and more depressing.
I read it in a few days but only so I could get to the end and read a better book.

[Julie Hair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh I loved it loved the characters I could imagine this was exacting how it felt for loved ones back home waiting for news heartache and joy x

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book , I've thoroughly enjoyed it , was written so well , sad in parts , couldn't put it down ,

[Carole Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written saga of two families and the trails and tribulations they must face as the new century dawns and war approaches. Great characters and a fascinating portrayal of life in Sheffield. I loved it!

[Annette Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

Margaret Dickinson never fails to deliver a good story and this is a real page turner. Edith who deals with a brutal husband but finds happiness and her two daughters who find good men. Two families who navigate WW1 and suffer loss but also love

[Beverley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly not as good as her first books, the oomph has gone.

Very plain, boring and predictable. Nothing enthralling that keeps you wanting to carry on reading. “Queen of the Saga”, not anymore.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book I listened to this on audiobook
Absolutely deserve 5*
Only took one word in this book and I knew
Sad news 😢
Thank you Margaret Dickinson for a wonderful book 😍

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting with sisters Mary Ellen and Flora who have to leave home when one of them discovers she is pregnant, this story follows their lives after. This was an epic read, really enjoyed it!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book to read, I couldn't put it down I read it in 2 days

[Mrs Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!!

Another great read from Margret Dickinson. Thank you so much! I have all your books, and love them all!! Brilliant!!

[Mim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've loved all her other books but gave up on this one as nothing seems to happen.

[Justine Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Dickinson did it again, another beautiful book and characters. This would probably be about 4.5 stars for me.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family saga set before and throughout WW1 and set in Sheffield. Typical easy read story but is about several women so is more interesting than some similar books.

[jackie yeomans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mothers sorrow

What a fantastic story I was hooked from the beginning excellent read couldn't put the book down read it all in one session

[Lorna Morris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me

Sorry but I found this book quite tedious and boring. Certainly not a page turner. I would not recommend it.

[Jayde Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. An easy read and one you can't put down. A love story that you're not sure how will end until the page.

[Paula Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read I couldn’t put this book down would deffo recommend