The Doorstep Girls

The Doorstep Girls #1

by Val Wood

Can two friends find hope in hard times? Ruby and Grace have grown up in the poorest slums of Hull. Friends since early childhood, they have supported each other in bad times and good. But their families are bound together by more than friendship, and secrets from the past threaten to make their lives even more difficult. The local cotton mill has provided work for Ruby and Grace since they were nine years old, and now years later both girls find themselves the object of attention from the mill owner's sons. As times grow harder, and money ever scarcer, Grace becomes involved in campaigns against poverty and injustice, while Ruby is tempted into prostitution. The two girls are searching for something that could take them far away ...But what price will they pay to find it? If you like books by Katie Flynn and Dilly Court, you'll love Val's heartwarming stories of triumph over adversity.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Valerie Wood

Since winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has become one of the most popular authors in the UK. Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley. When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities. Find out more about Val Wood's novels by visiting her website: www.valeriewood.co.uk

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down..

Absolutely loved this book! It has fabulous characters and you really care about them. I have now read most of Val Woods books and have thoroughly enjoyed them all..but this one really drew me in. I never leave reviews but had to with this one.

[Heidi]

About halfway through this book I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I really wasn't in the mood for a Dickensian Victorian tragedy. You know the kind; the heroine ends up addicted to laudanum and spends the rest of her days sewing for a living while the man she loves marries the heroine's best friend, (WHAT?!?!) and you wonder why in the world you read five million pages for THAT. As such, I applaud the author for turning what could have been a true downer of a book (the circumstances certainly were) and making it a story of hope and empowerment. (It also really made me count my blessings!) There is a lot of adult content in this book, but nothing gratuitously explicit. Lots of great historical content that doubtless required copious research. Both doorstep girls were sweet and endearing.

[Emma Roeyaboat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read and an eye opener to what life would of been like in that era. I liked how the characters had their own stories. Great friends but such different lives. Enjoyable read.

[Julia Povall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a fairly easy read. However, the characters where somewhat predictable and though an attempt to highlight issues of Victorian poverty was made, the issues raised were not addressed and their inclusion didn't drive the storyline forward for my liking.
Knowing nothing of the area of Hull in the NE England, nevertheless I could tell the author had taken the time to research the background of historic buildings, tenements and street names which gave it something of an authentic ring.

[Cheri Lesko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two young girls trying to survive very difficult circumstances and each take a different path. Their tenacity is admirable even if you don't agreed with each of their methods.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just know when you've read a good book because it just whirls around in your head for a long time. This one is no exception and absolutely deserves five stars.

I read a lot of books in this era and genre and many describe the appalling conditions of the poor but this is probably one of the best I've read. Val Wood brilliantly describes the dire lives of the poorest of people in this novel. You feel their pain, the near starvation, the cold and the total despair these people face and it hits you hard. The story around these conditions is fascinating too. The mix of the upper classes and those who live in the slums make a very interesting read. This is one story I won't forget for a long time!

[Christina Rochester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay finally a book from this era that isn't rapey. In fact there's no rape at all in this one!

The Doorstep Girls follows the story of two friends Grace and Ruby, both of whom want a better life than the slums of Hull can offer them. With hours being cut at the cotton mill where they both work, they must both find their own way. Ruby is tempted into selling her body and eventually becomes a rich man's mistress, a kept woman, whilst Grace starts speaking out for women's rights.

This was a good read, and I'd definitely recommend it.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The poverty people endured at that time was horrific. I didn't like the way the author told us the thoughts of the characters all through the book instead of leaving it to their actions to tell the story. Especially since these thought were sometimes expressed in language that would not have been used by an uneducated factory girl. However, it was an enjoyable story and lots of research had gone into the writing of it.

[terri navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story

I thought the story of two friends, so different., yet always there for each other, was true to life and just the way it should be .
They didn't have much in this story and it was sometimes very
Sad. the fact that they cared so much made me think of my Mon who was ONE of 12 kids and they alk took care of each other
This is a goid read!

[KFK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think it would be a good book, but it was more than that. A fantastic description of Hull in the 19th century and the difficulties of the poor, women, and children.

Very good descriptions of location, people, things. Started and didn't want to stop reading it.

Grace and Ruby are lovely characters, with kindness and suffering in their heart. Martin was also such a great one.

[Janet Roehmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

1848 Ruby & Grace are children from factory working families. Children started working as young as 5. These families worked hard and were grossly underpaid and lived in poverty. This story reflects the hardships and battles needed to endore some kind of life.
It's sad but encouraging to see how these workers try to overcome such a lifestyle.
I found it hard to put down.

[Beverley Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Great book about the poverty that poor people had to put up with due to poor wages and unsatisfactory housing but through it all it showed a good deal of ambition for what could be with a lot of grit a d determination

[Christina Tibbetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

I really enjoyed reading this book. The story of the two girls and their poverty ridden lives. It is only by reading this kind of novel that people can appreciate what lives we have now.

[Mary G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable

A must read! Val has so clearly defined the issues of poverty & individual equality. May we all examine our own thinking & treatment of others as well as examine our lives to see where we can most make a difference in the areas our life touches.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've listened to, such a wonderful story, the characters are so endearing and Ann Dover (the narrator) just brings them all to life, really didn't want it to end I enjoyed that much.
A very heartwarming read that I recommend to you all.

[Margaret A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, feel good story

The Doorstep Girls is a realistic story of the trials and tribulations of two 19th century impoverished girls and those around them makes for compelling reading. Loved it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the book

This book was a slow start. At first I almost stopped reading. Then the storyline intrigued me. So I kept reading and didn’t want to put down. Great enjoyed how it evolved.

[Sandy Kolasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me forever to get into this one but glad I stuck with it. Really inspiring story about two you girls finding their way and being true to themselves.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls

This book jumped out at me from the first few lines. I fell in love with all the characters and cried with them. I would recommended this fabulous book to anyone. xx

[De Beresford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Doorstep girls

I have really enjoyed this novel. I would have the same ambitions as Grace......helping the poor etc. The story was unpredictable and held my interest throughout.

[Val]

Enjoyed reading this book, well written.

[Rebecca Frase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I enjoyed this so much! Didn't want it to end! Truly great warning and beautifully written. A must read it you enjoy historical fiction.

[Tracey Terrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Brings old Hull to life

[Marilyn Jumper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good

Very interesting read for this time period. Worth the read. Couldn't put it down. Family struggles with everyone being poor.

[Erika Birk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made it to page 56. I stop when the story does not get started for quiete a bit. And it seems to be a lot of drama and poverty. I like more positive books.

[Margaret Baseley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. Well written.x

[Sharon Keal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and friendship in Victorian England

[Bernie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[lynda kilshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

I couldn't put the book down.you get engrossed in the lives of the familys.How they stick together in poverty, and help one another.