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Rough Justice
The Flanagans, Tanners and Lovells all live on the top floor of a crumbling Victorian tenement in the heart of London’s East End. It’s 1936 and Britain is in the grip of the Depression.
Nell Flanagan is a decent, hardworking woman, married to Stephen, a tough, heavy-drinking brute of a man, who works as a casual in the docks — when there’s work available. Nell has hidden the abuse she has suffered at his hands from her young children, although most of the neighbours realise what’s going on.
The Tanners think she must be asking for it, but nineteen-year-old Martin Lovell, has always admired Nell. When he sees Stephen actually attacking Nell, he can stand back no longer, but his actions have repercussions for all the families…
From the Paperback edition.
Nell Flanagan is a decent, hardworking woman, married to Stephen, a tough, heavy-drinking brute of a man, who works as a casual in the docks — when there’s work available. Nell has hidden the abuse she has suffered at his hands from her young children, although most of the neighbours realise what’s going on.
The Tanners think she must be asking for it, but nineteen-year-old Martin Lovell, has always admired Nell. When he sees Stephen actually attacking Nell, he can stand back no longer, but his actions have repercussions for all the families…
From the Paperback edition.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published March 18, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 23, 2015
If long running BBC soap operas were wound back a generation and made into books - then I'm sure the producers of "Pre-1960-ish Eastenders" wouldn't need to look any further than the novels of Gilda O'Neill.
Nothing wrong with that of course - but Rough Justice, same as all of Gilda O'Neill's novels, are a sort of East End based soap opera in written format. Harmless enough - but hardly deeply inspiring literature, I'm afraid.
Nothing wrong with that of course - but Rough Justice, same as all of Gilda O'Neill's novels, are a sort of East End based soap opera in written format. Harmless enough - but hardly deeply inspiring literature, I'm afraid.
September 11, 2017
Excellent
Great fan of Gilda and she doesn't disappoint. Having bad start in life Nell grabs a opportunity to a work in a pub with Sylvia and Bernie. Not all works out in life for her when she meets the man who sweeps her off her feet.
Great fan of Gilda and she doesn't disappoint. Having bad start in life Nell grabs a opportunity to a work in a pub with Sylvia and Bernie. Not all works out in life for her when she meets the man who sweeps her off her feet.
February 21, 2018
I picked up the book because I had read that Gilda O'Neill gives some remarkable insights about East End Life, in fairness she does but I felt that it was almost a sort of 1930's product placement. The story itself is easy to read, I whipped through it in a day but.. my goodness would anyone be as weak as Nell in putting up with the abuse she suffered? The jury is still out with regards to this author.
December 28, 2018
Mid 30's, West End of London. Times are hard. With nothing but a tiny hint of luck Nell fights to make ends meet. Orphaned then turned out of her home at 14 she has little experience other than hard work to keep herself from exploitation or making unwise decisions. She becomes a victim of abuse. Mother of two, Nell learns that friendship is her most valuable commodity.
November 7, 2019
A great read. A tale of Nell and her unfortunate life and happiness in the end after years of suffering.
January 5, 2021
Unable to put it down...
June 19, 2023
I enjoyed this story, even though some subjects are just the awful reality; I'm glad it had a happy ending.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews