Longford: A Manchester Love Story

by Juliette Tomlinson

New Store Stock Longford A Manchester Love Story ABISBOOK.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are my peace my comfort my salvation.
What a beautifully written book of one ladies journey from France to Manchester and her love for John Rylands. Reading it makes you feel part of the era and you’re left wanting to know more in this fabulous story.
A great read written by Juliette Tomlinson.

[Jane Clewlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply brilliant. I’ve devoured this ‘Manchester love story’ in the space of a (very busy) week. I’ve read, studied and taught literature for the best part of 35 years, I’d say, and still my marker of a cracking book is one that stops me in my tracks. One which I can’t wait to climb into bed to get back into its world; one which occupies my thoughts when I’m not reading it and stays in my thoughts long after I’ve finished.

This is such a book.

The descriptions are rich: sights, smells, tastes and sounds combine against a backdrop of Lyon, Paris, Manchester and London in the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution. Characters leap from the page and places that are so very dear to me (Chorlton, The Horse & Jockey, the Green) are given a new and different lease of life beneath a Victorian lens.

Historical fiction isn’t usually my thing but this is an utter must read and I can’t wait for its sequel, Sunnyside to be released.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this beautiful book by Juliette Tomlinson. It’s a wonderful love story told so eloquently with an incredible attention to gorgeous historical and local detail!

While I usually whizz through books, reading at bedtime or in the night, I’ve savoured this one, transporting myself back in time and reading for pure indulgence and enjoyment rather than mindless switching off.


Can’t wait for the next one!

[Lisa Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely fantastic read from start to finish. Such an incredible debut from author Juliette Tomlinson and I’m thrilled to know that this is the first of her trilogy as I can’t wait for the story to continue to unfold. Living in Manchester, this book brought names and places alive in a way I’ve not experienced before, leaving me seeing things through different lenses. The historical facts and references are so detailed one can only appreciate the depth the author has gone to with her research and in her expression throughout the book. The description is so impactful and really embraces one’s senses. Without giving spoilers it’s very hard to detail here, other than it being emotionally evocative. The sights, the sounds, the tastes, just wonderful. Having never read historical fiction before, I can’t wait for the next book Sunnyside, but I will certainly read more. I would certainly encourage anyone that hasn’t to dive in as bringing history alive has been quite a magical adventure for me. There is absolutely nothing not to like about this book. Historical, romantic escapism. Go read it!

[Andy N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is described on Amazon “It was the year of 1864, and the great city of Manchester was Cottonopolis, rising with the sound of industry, and the boom of a hundred mills. At the heart of its energies was John Rylands. ‘the greatest merchant prince the world has ever seen’. This is the story of an empire built by a true Manchester man, given meaning and worth by the extraordinary woman who loved him.”

I was born in Flixton, but grew up around Stretford and Chorlton and know Longford Park well, where the bulk of this book is set and as soon as I came across this on Instagram actually, I knew straight away this was a book I wanted to read considering I knew of John Rylands Library, I was ashamed to say I knew precious little else of the great man.

The book as well as being a great education talks about in some depth in-between his love story between John Rylands and Enriqetta with places I know all too well from the Horse and Jockey and Lloyds and lots of other places all too well, but either way, this book is incredibly rich and a beautiful read from beginning to end.

Recommended.

5/5.

Look forward to Book 2.

[Nick Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written tale with a Dickens feel to it as 19th century Manchester and France are recreated on the page. A novel of richly drawn characters I look forward to meeting again in the next book.