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Tales of the Notorious Hudson Family #3
My Mam Shirley
Gangs, poverty, corruption – 17-year-old Shirley Read, growing up in Bradford in the ‘50s, knows all about the Canterbury Estate and the notorious Hudsons who rule it. But when she falls for one of the Hudson lads, nothing and no one – including her own father – is going to stand in her way.
Whisked away into a world of newspaper tablecloths and jam-jar cups, Shirley gradually comes to see one big happy family that gets by on almost nothing, surviving only on loyalty, laughter and love – things she’s never known before.
But when tragedy rocks the estate in one of the greatest scandals of the era, will these be enough to see the family through?
It wasn’t just the Hudson boys who have a story to tell: from matriarch Annie, who gave birth to 13 children, to daughters Margaret and Eunice, who married up and out, each had a personality as indomitable as the last.
Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure, this is the vivid account of the 'Tucker' girls; the resourceful women at the helm of a notorious Bradford family, holding the family together when tragedy strikes.
Whisked away into a world of newspaper tablecloths and jam-jar cups, Shirley gradually comes to see one big happy family that gets by on almost nothing, surviving only on loyalty, laughter and love – things she’s never known before.
But when tragedy rocks the estate in one of the greatest scandals of the era, will these be enough to see the family through?
It wasn’t just the Hudson boys who have a story to tell: from matriarch Annie, who gave birth to 13 children, to daughters Margaret and Eunice, who married up and out, each had a personality as indomitable as the last.
Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure, this is the vivid account of the 'Tucker' girls; the resourceful women at the helm of a notorious Bradford family, holding the family together when tragedy strikes.
- GenresAmazon
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2014
64 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Julie Shaw
61 books24 followersPen name for author Lynne Barrett-Lee:
Born in London and now based in Wales, Ghostwriter Lynne Barrett-Lee has been a full time author since the mid nineties. Having enjoyed several years of success as a short story writer, with her fiction appearing in almost all of the UK’s leading women’s magazines, she had her first novel, the acclaimed Julia Gets a Life, published by Bantam in 2000. She has since written seven further novels, including her 2006 work, Barefoot in the Dark, which was shortlisted for the inaugural Melissa Nathan Award. Lynne was also approached to write one of the first titles in the Quick Reads series for emergent readers, and went on to ghost a further title for TV presenter Fiona Phillips.
Lynne began ghostwriting full length non-fiction in 2007, when approached to co-author paraplegic Melanie Davies' incredible story, Never Say Die, and since that successful collaboration has been ghostwriting full time. Her 2010 title, for Faith Scott, I Won’t Forgive What You Did, enjoyed seven weeks in the UK Sunday Times Bestseller list, as did the 2012 memoir The Baby Laundry. She also ghosted the acclaimed memoir Giant George: life with the World’s Tallest Dog a bestselling title in both the UK and US.
More recently, Lynne ghosted two bestselling titles which were published in the spring of this year. The first, Mum’s Way, is the story of mum of eight, Angie Millthorpe, who died of breast cancer, aged 48, in 2010. The second, The Girl With No Name, was published in May 13, and relates the story of a young girl abandoned in the jungles of Colombia, and has already been sold in eighteen countries, with film rights being negotiated and a National Geographic documentary being shown in December 13.
Lynne also co-writes a major non-fiction series for one of the world's leading publishers, under a pseudonym. The first seven titles have also all been Sunday Times bestsellers, with three more being published in 2013/14. The series was launched in the USA in 2013, and the first ebook in the series was a NY Times bestseller.
Lynne also writes about writing, as she teaches the craft weekly, at Cardiff University - her ebook NOVEL being the written distillation of her popular novel writing course.
Born in London and now based in Wales, Ghostwriter Lynne Barrett-Lee has been a full time author since the mid nineties. Having enjoyed several years of success as a short story writer, with her fiction appearing in almost all of the UK’s leading women’s magazines, she had her first novel, the acclaimed Julia Gets a Life, published by Bantam in 2000. She has since written seven further novels, including her 2006 work, Barefoot in the Dark, which was shortlisted for the inaugural Melissa Nathan Award. Lynne was also approached to write one of the first titles in the Quick Reads series for emergent readers, and went on to ghost a further title for TV presenter Fiona Phillips.
Lynne began ghostwriting full length non-fiction in 2007, when approached to co-author paraplegic Melanie Davies' incredible story, Never Say Die, and since that successful collaboration has been ghostwriting full time. Her 2010 title, for Faith Scott, I Won’t Forgive What You Did, enjoyed seven weeks in the UK Sunday Times Bestseller list, as did the 2012 memoir The Baby Laundry. She also ghosted the acclaimed memoir Giant George: life with the World’s Tallest Dog a bestselling title in both the UK and US.
More recently, Lynne ghosted two bestselling titles which were published in the spring of this year. The first, Mum’s Way, is the story of mum of eight, Angie Millthorpe, who died of breast cancer, aged 48, in 2010. The second, The Girl With No Name, was published in May 13, and relates the story of a young girl abandoned in the jungles of Colombia, and has already been sold in eighteen countries, with film rights being negotiated and a National Geographic documentary being shown in December 13.
Lynne also co-writes a major non-fiction series for one of the world's leading publishers, under a pseudonym. The first seven titles have also all been Sunday Times bestsellers, with three more being published in 2013/14. The series was launched in the USA in 2013, and the first ebook in the series was a NY Times bestseller.
Lynne also writes about writing, as she teaches the craft weekly, at Cardiff University - her ebook NOVEL being the written distillation of her popular novel writing course.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 8, 2015
I know you should never judge a book by its cover but this is especially the case with this novel. Not for the pictures, but for the text.
Under the title we are led to expect a story about a gangster family, from a 'humble' i.e., working class background (the 'mam' gives it away). As the story is based in the late 50s and early 60s I was expecting a northern version of the Kray Twins, who terrorised parts of the east end of London at that time. I thought I would be reading about a family with a perverted sense of loyalty, a twisted parochial sense of honour and, probably, a Oedipal fetish thrown in (again as with the Krays). But there was none of that.
What we get instead is a somewhat humdrum story of a young girl from a relatively well off working class background falling for a little bit older boy from a really down at heels working class background, their situation made more difficult due to occasional bouts of violence and petty thievery. But this family was a revelation for the daughter (Julie, who is also the author) because in this family there is laughter and real love – something she considers missing from her own family life.
There are trials and tribulations, a couple of unexpected deaths, but it all ends up happy in the end, And that's it.
If this is 'Yorkshire's notorious criminal family' then they are incredibly incompetent, not seeming to benefit financially from their 'criminal activity' – using old newspapers as table cloths – and also not really above the law as they seem to spend so much time locked up at Her Majesty's Pleasure.
This is book three about this family so, I suppose, something even vaguely interesting might have happened in the first two, but I very much doubt it.
Going back to the cover. On the back there's a quote from Ricky Tomlinson (bona fide northerner and obviously qualified to judge on such matters) that the book was filled with 'Northern humour'. If it was I missed it all.
After finishing this novel my real question was why? Why was it written? What insight did the story give about the period? These were just unexceptional people doing unexceptional things, sometimes making mistakes. However representative that might be of the lives of the majority of people at the time it doesn't really make for scintillating reading. I don't think I'll be searching out the first two novels of the trilogy.
A Goodreads First Reads winner.
Under the title we are led to expect a story about a gangster family, from a 'humble' i.e., working class background (the 'mam' gives it away). As the story is based in the late 50s and early 60s I was expecting a northern version of the Kray Twins, who terrorised parts of the east end of London at that time. I thought I would be reading about a family with a perverted sense of loyalty, a twisted parochial sense of honour and, probably, a Oedipal fetish thrown in (again as with the Krays). But there was none of that.
What we get instead is a somewhat humdrum story of a young girl from a relatively well off working class background falling for a little bit older boy from a really down at heels working class background, their situation made more difficult due to occasional bouts of violence and petty thievery. But this family was a revelation for the daughter (Julie, who is also the author) because in this family there is laughter and real love – something she considers missing from her own family life.
There are trials and tribulations, a couple of unexpected deaths, but it all ends up happy in the end, And that's it.
If this is 'Yorkshire's notorious criminal family' then they are incredibly incompetent, not seeming to benefit financially from their 'criminal activity' – using old newspapers as table cloths – and also not really above the law as they seem to spend so much time locked up at Her Majesty's Pleasure.
This is book three about this family so, I suppose, something even vaguely interesting might have happened in the first two, but I very much doubt it.
Going back to the cover. On the back there's a quote from Ricky Tomlinson (bona fide northerner and obviously qualified to judge on such matters) that the book was filled with 'Northern humour'. If it was I missed it all.
After finishing this novel my real question was why? Why was it written? What insight did the story give about the period? These were just unexceptional people doing unexceptional things, sometimes making mistakes. However representative that might be of the lives of the majority of people at the time it doesn't really make for scintillating reading. I don't think I'll be searching out the first two novels of the trilogy.
A Goodreads First Reads winner.
June 25, 2021
I listened to this on audiobook.
This is book 3 of 7 in the series. I found this to be a relatively easy listen to story, a change of pace compared to the first two books to the series, not as much action, more family oriented in my opinion, but still entertaining nevertheless. It was well written and I enjoyed getting to know all of the different characters, there were quite a few.
I’m continuing with the series and so I’m looking forward to book 4 in due course, not straight away so as I like to break a series up with other standalone books.
This is book 3 of 7 in the series. I found this to be a relatively easy listen to story, a change of pace compared to the first two books to the series, not as much action, more family oriented in my opinion, but still entertaining nevertheless. It was well written and I enjoyed getting to know all of the different characters, there were quite a few.
I’m continuing with the series and so I’m looking forward to book 4 in due course, not straight away so as I like to break a series up with other standalone books.
June 22, 2023
I literally could not put the book down and hope to find more from Julie Shaw eventually. The author's relating of the good and the bad of the family into which her mother married is laudable because she could have become bitter and critical early on. The author, daughter of the book's subject, gives a seemingly honest and objective view of the family. She chooses to focus on the community aspect of the Hudson family members. The tendency toward crime is not covered up but is given more of a sympathetic approach.
October 26, 2018
Quite interesting
I chose this because its title and synopsis piqued my interest. I guess now I will read the remainder of the series. It is not bad read, but not exactly over the top "good," but it is intriguing . Perhaps I will re-read this portion when I have the entire collection.
I chose this because its title and synopsis piqued my interest. I guess now I will read the remainder of the series. It is not bad read, but not exactly over the top "good," but it is intriguing . Perhaps I will re-read this portion when I have the entire collection.
January 24, 2018
This book at the start threw me at first as its from a different family but gradually the characters that you learn about in the previous books slip through and you learn about them from a different point of view.
February 10, 2018
Didn’t really match up to the blurb on the back...was waiting for something gritty to happen....which never did.
March 30, 2018
So real
From the first page I was hooked. The story and writing is so real its as if she is speaking to you. Loved it. Onto the next part.
From the first page I was hooked. The story and writing is so real its as if she is speaking to you. Loved it. Onto the next part.
February 5, 2020
A truly touching story, couldn't put it down I loved it
August 27, 2022
A book telling the story of real people. A little too focussed on the mundane for me whereas there seemed to be more story to tell that became a summary.
October 23, 2023
I couldn’t even finish it becuase I felt it was boring and couldn’t find any excitement
January 8, 2015
The true story of Shirley, a Bradford girl who marries into the notorious Hudson family. The book is set in Bradford, mainly in the 1950s and early 1960s, starting just after the Second World War, times that are
very different to today. Expectations of material possessions, household utilities and medical knowledge are just some of the things which have changed greatly since Shirley was young. It was interesting and humbling to be reminded of how everyone had to get by and make do and mend, such as having jam jars for mugs. It was also interesting to read about parts of Bradford at that time in a historical sense.
The book is written with humour and honesty. Shirley is the Mum of the author, Julie Shaw. Love and fondness shine through as she relays her family memoirs and events that have shaped them.
The events that occur are moving and very relevant to that time. The tragedy towards the end of the book is very poignant.
The book is the third of a series about the Hudsons and I would like to read the other two.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
very different to today. Expectations of material possessions, household utilities and medical knowledge are just some of the things which have changed greatly since Shirley was young. It was interesting and humbling to be reminded of how everyone had to get by and make do and mend, such as having jam jars for mugs. It was also interesting to read about parts of Bradford at that time in a historical sense.
The book is written with humour and honesty. Shirley is the Mum of the author, Julie Shaw. Love and fondness shine through as she relays her family memoirs and events that have shaped them.
The events that occur are moving and very relevant to that time. The tragedy towards the end of the book is very poignant.
The book is the third of a series about the Hudsons and I would like to read the other two.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
December 31, 2014
My Mam Shirley Part 1 of 3 Julie Shaw
What a wonderful legacy these books will be for the Hudson family, what better way could there be to preserve the family history. There were back-to-back houses nearby to where I lived as a child but never having seen inside one I was very interested in the description of the interior. I have heard that newspaper was used on tables instead of cloths and jam jars for tea cups, but again not experienced it and this book just brings the past history alive in a lively and entertaining way, though as with life there is tragedy alongside the humour. A book worth reading.
I received a copy of 'My Mam Shirley' free as a Goodreads first-read giveaway. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
What a wonderful legacy these books will be for the Hudson family, what better way could there be to preserve the family history. There were back-to-back houses nearby to where I lived as a child but never having seen inside one I was very interested in the description of the interior. I have heard that newspaper was used on tables instead of cloths and jam jars for tea cups, but again not experienced it and this book just brings the past history alive in a lively and entertaining way, though as with life there is tragedy alongside the humour. A book worth reading.
I received a copy of 'My Mam Shirley' free as a Goodreads first-read giveaway. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
March 15, 2015
What a great read, once again, Julie Shaw, has let us have a glimpse of life in the 50s and 60s.
This time, her book, focuses on her mam Shirley Read, and her dad Keith Hudson.one of the notorious Hudsons who in the 50s ruled the Canterbury Estate.
Keith was not as bad as some of the Hudsons, and their were a lot,,when Shirley at the age of 17 fell for him, Her father was against them ever being together, but Keith, winning her mam, over, helped the two youngsters, find their way. Not that it was ever easy, but as they say "Love conquers all"
The book, had me laughing at the cheek of Keith, who you can not help, but really like, and Shirley? loved her, strong, stubborn, and loyal,,
This time, her book, focuses on her mam Shirley Read, and her dad Keith Hudson.one of the notorious Hudsons who in the 50s ruled the Canterbury Estate.
Keith was not as bad as some of the Hudsons, and their were a lot,,when Shirley at the age of 17 fell for him, Her father was against them ever being together, but Keith, winning her mam, over, helped the two youngsters, find their way. Not that it was ever easy, but as they say "Love conquers all"
The book, had me laughing at the cheek of Keith, who you can not help, but really like, and Shirley? loved her, strong, stubborn, and loyal,,
April 3, 2015
A great book and the second of Julie Shaw's I have read. It's full of the 1950 humour and nostalgia and a northern twang. I really enjoyed reading Julie's account of her mum and how she met her dad in a notorious part of Bradford. The Hudson family are well known in the area and when Shirley gets involved with Keith Hudson her family are horrified and his family are (for the want of a better word) pleased and what follows is a warm and hillarious tale of the 2 families.I loved Keith who was a bit of a rogue but a very likeable one and Shirley who knew that she was courting a dangerous family but with the help of her mum, who had warmed to Keith
she learnt how to be 'one of the Hudsons'.
she learnt how to be 'one of the Hudsons'.
December 31, 2014
I was so pleased to have won this book in the Goodreads Giveaway. This was a page turner, which I read within the day. A powerful read which was hard to imagine that this happened in real life, but mind you, I was a teenager and living in London in the 70's and knew of a family that were similar to the Hudson family.
January 26, 2015
brilliant book through the rock n roll years 50s and 60s a true love affair and heartbreaking by a strong woman shirley what a lady could not put this down and looking forward to reading more by great wrtiter julie shaw
April 26, 2015
reviewed
May 4, 2015
An awesome read, and very moving in parts. It's got that gritty 60s 'kitchen sink' drama feel and is a real page turner - I read it all in one sitting.
January 15, 2015
Good read .
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews