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Liverpool Daisy
Liverpool 1931, where Daisy Gallagher, big, tough and loving, learns to fight competition, laugh with her customers, weep in private. In a Liverpool torn by the Depression, Daisy Gallagher grows to womanhood the hard way. She is the mainstay of her poverty-stricken family and the devoted friend of Nellie O'Brian, who is dying for lack of medical attention. Daisy's desperation for money leads her into the darkened streets and into the arms of drunken sailors willing to pay for their relief. Through her own strength and suffering, Daisy earns enough to pay for her friend's much needed medical attention. Her family know nothing of her occupation, but when her stoker husband returns from the sea Daisy realises, terror-stricken, that the moment of truth has finally arrived...
258 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 1984
861 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Helen Forrester
45 books128 followersHelen Forrester (real name June Bhatia) (born 1919, Hoylake, Cheshire (now in Merseyside)) is an English-born author famous for her books about her early childhood in Liverpool during the Great Depression as well as several works of fiction.
In 1953 Forrester moved to Edmonton, Canada.
In 1953 Forrester moved to Edmonton, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 18, 2020
It’s been a long time since I have read a book by Helen Forrester. I read quite a few in my teenage years and couldn’t devour them quickly enough.
The author transports us back in time to life in Liverpool in the 1930’s. Daisy is trying to hold things together. Her mother has not long died and her husband works away, leaving her to her own devices. She finds herself turning to prostitution to earn extra money for herself as well as to pay for medicine for her good friend Nellie.
Daisy is a definitely a larger than life character with a big heart. You can’t fault what she does as it’s a means to an end as the saying goes. She wants a bit of the finer things in her life and not living hand to mouth. The fact that she does it for her friend though is what pulls on the heart strings.
The author brings to life day to day life back then, with the pawn shops, trams, the gossiping and everyone knowing everyone’s business. It comes alive in your head. There is a sense of community though and spirit of which we don’t see as much of in present days.
Liverpool Daisy is an endearing and light hearted read. The author has always had a sense of humour in her novels and manages to put a smile on the readers face in places. It did get a little emotional towards the end due to the storyline with Nellie but Daisy’s antics will make you smile whilst shaking your head at what she gets up to. Helen Forrester is without a doubt a wonderful story teller.
My thanks to Jill Burjinshaw and Joffe Books for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The author transports us back in time to life in Liverpool in the 1930’s. Daisy is trying to hold things together. Her mother has not long died and her husband works away, leaving her to her own devices. She finds herself turning to prostitution to earn extra money for herself as well as to pay for medicine for her good friend Nellie.
Daisy is a definitely a larger than life character with a big heart. You can’t fault what she does as it’s a means to an end as the saying goes. She wants a bit of the finer things in her life and not living hand to mouth. The fact that she does it for her friend though is what pulls on the heart strings.
The author brings to life day to day life back then, with the pawn shops, trams, the gossiping and everyone knowing everyone’s business. It comes alive in your head. There is a sense of community though and spirit of which we don’t see as much of in present days.
Liverpool Daisy is an endearing and light hearted read. The author has always had a sense of humour in her novels and manages to put a smile on the readers face in places. It did get a little emotional towards the end due to the storyline with Nellie but Daisy’s antics will make you smile whilst shaking your head at what she gets up to. Helen Forrester is without a doubt a wonderful story teller.
My thanks to Jill Burjinshaw and Joffe Books for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
June 5, 2016
Daisy Gallagher is a woman who has seen more than her fair share of sorrow and dreadful poverty in her life. She is married to Mike, a sailor who is at sea for so much of his time that Daisy almost never sees him. It was traditional that Irish families in Liverpool at that time all lived together, granny, mum, dad, siblings and in-laws all crammed into the same small house together. Although there is serious overcrowding, this arrangement gives a little more financial security and there is always someone there to care for the elderly or look after the children. Daisy feels that she has been let down by her family. She has had a lot of children including a number of miscarriages, but two died in childhood, two are in prison and the one remaining, Maureen Mary, has broken with tradition and moved out when she got married. Now the final straw, Daisy's mother has died. After the funeral Daisy realises what it is to be alone, she has also lost the extra income of her mother's pension leaving her with just 18 shillings a week, the allotment from her husband Mike's wages. How is she going to make ends meet, the rent, the coal and food?
On her way back from Lime Street one night, Daisy take a wrong turn and ends up in an undesirable area where she is cornered by three young sailors just home on leave. They are drunk and assume that Daisy is a street walker. At first Daisy tries to defend herself but then she give in and when they actually give her half a crown each she sees a possible solution to her problems.
Helen Forester's description of Daisy's house, the bugs in the bedroom, the lice and fleas was so vivid I found myself scratching and I could almost smell the awful smell of the house and of Daisy herself. The sailors who were to be Daisy's customers however seemed not to mind the smell and despite the fact that Daisy was overweight and no longer young made no difference; she was, in her way, very attractive and her cheerful and kind nature shone through.
When Nellie, Daisy's sister-in-law and best friend since childhood becomes very ill with T.B. Daisy knows what she must do to care for Nellie; doctors cost money and so did medicine and the money had to be found. All went as planned until Daisy returns home one night to find her long absent husband home from sea.
There is such love in the family and they all try to pull together, except for the relationship between Daisy and her sister Margaret. As soon as they were in a room together there would be an argument, often vicious words were spoken and sometimes they ended up rolling on the floor pulling each other's hair.
Wonderful writing as always with Helen Forrester. I first read this in 1984 and it is just as good now as it was then!
On her way back from Lime Street one night, Daisy take a wrong turn and ends up in an undesirable area where she is cornered by three young sailors just home on leave. They are drunk and assume that Daisy is a street walker. At first Daisy tries to defend herself but then she give in and when they actually give her half a crown each she sees a possible solution to her problems.
Helen Forester's description of Daisy's house, the bugs in the bedroom, the lice and fleas was so vivid I found myself scratching and I could almost smell the awful smell of the house and of Daisy herself. The sailors who were to be Daisy's customers however seemed not to mind the smell and despite the fact that Daisy was overweight and no longer young made no difference; she was, in her way, very attractive and her cheerful and kind nature shone through.
When Nellie, Daisy's sister-in-law and best friend since childhood becomes very ill with T.B. Daisy knows what she must do to care for Nellie; doctors cost money and so did medicine and the money had to be found. All went as planned until Daisy returns home one night to find her long absent husband home from sea.
There is such love in the family and they all try to pull together, except for the relationship between Daisy and her sister Margaret. As soon as they were in a room together there would be an argument, often vicious words were spoken and sometimes they ended up rolling on the floor pulling each other's hair.
Wonderful writing as always with Helen Forrester. I first read this in 1984 and it is just as good now as it was then!
October 10, 2014
A story of a woman who 'accidentally' fell into prostitution for the right reasons but didn't think of herself as a whore, and just wanted to help her best friend during her illness. A quick read, which I enjoyed
January 14, 2018
Awesome. I enjoyed every word that was written on the pages of this book. I love stories that where written in this era and this book was no exception.
October 25, 2012
Great easy read about poverty and Catholic family life of in Liverpool UK in the 1920's/early 1930's. Death of her mother leaves Daisy with a third of her weekly income down, and then the need to help her friend who is ill to pay doctor's bills, heating, food etc. Pre NHS - do we want to return to that? Pre welfare state - do we want to return to that? Her husband is away at sea but at least he has work as unemployment is common in the extended family.
Helen Forrester has written other books about Liverpool and it has the authenticity of her having partly grown up there in family hardship herself. Recommend it.
Helen Forrester has written other books about Liverpool and it has the authenticity of her having partly grown up there in family hardship herself. Recommend it.
July 14, 2017
After reading Helen Forrester's memoir books, this was different, but I could still see the influence of her upbringing in her story.
October 27, 2021
The cover picture belies the squaller and deprivation depicted in this book. It is the story of Daisy who does what she has to to put food on the table after her mother dies leaving her with only a meagre allowance from her seaman husband who is away at sea for months on end. She's part of a large family but probably the worst off financially with little help of even companionship from the others. She is devastated when her sister in law who is also her best friend takes ill and she moves her into her own home to nurse her through her last few days.
I guess it's testament to the power of Helen Forrester's writing that I found this a thoroughly miserable story, revolting at times and sadly all too believable. For that reason I was going to give it a three star but that would be unfair to the writing.
I guess it's testament to the power of Helen Forrester's writing that I found this a thoroughly miserable story, revolting at times and sadly all too believable. For that reason I was going to give it a three star but that would be unfair to the writing.
September 3, 2025
It was okay , I see how a lot of people would enjoy this and see it as eye opening especially in the age of poverty and the human spirit , but wasn’t really my cup of tea , it’s always interesting to learn more about how people would have lived in the early 1920’s though
November 13, 2020
Enjoyed it overall but the end was a bit sudden. Feels like there should be a second installment
September 28, 2022
A straight 2 star read! So bloody depressing! I love books that entertain & keep me riveted. I know it all could have happened, probably did in some ways, that’s the sad part. Reality.. cold & hard is not what I read for, it’s clever twists & turns I long for.. and please don’t mistake me I also hate the plethora of historical fiction books.. you know the kind where everything works out every time, the ones where you know from the first few chapters almost exactly what will happen & who will end up marrying! Grr 😖
November 24, 2008
Liverpool 1931, where Daisy Gallagher, big, tough and loving, learns to fight competition, laugh with her customers, weep in private. In a Liverpool torn by the Depression, Daisy Gallagher grows to womanhood, the hard way. She is the mainstay of her poverty-stricken family and the devoted friend of Nellie O'Brian, who is dying for lack of medical attention. Daisy's desperation for money leads her into the darkened streets and into the arms of drunken sailors willing to pay for their relief. Through her own strength and suffering, Daisy earns enough to pay for her friend's much need medical attention. Her family know nothing of her occupation, but when her stoker husband returns from the sea Daisy realises, terror-stricken, that the moment of truth has finally arrived....
September 1, 2015
I have read a number of books by Helen Forrester and this was another excellent read. Here is a woman just an ordinary housewife who being in the wrong place at the wrong time becomes a prostitute. At first it is just a bit of fun and some extra money, but then things change and she finds herself in some rather nasty and precarious situations. Her best friend is seriously ill and she keeps on being a lady of the night so that she can buy the medicines for her friends. She has a heart of gold. Really enjoyed this story, quite sad and also poverty driven.
July 10, 2018
I love this book and have read it 3 or 4 times over the years.
At the end of the book I always wondered how she would carry on earning as she was a bit long in tooth to begin with and i'm not sure how much longer her services would be in demand. I content myself with imagining that she becomes the 'Madam' with a few girls working for her :0)
I could never get over the filth she surrounded herself with, no excuse as soap and water was available!
At the end of the book I always wondered how she would carry on earning as she was a bit long in tooth to begin with and i'm not sure how much longer her services would be in demand. I content myself with imagining that she becomes the 'Madam' with a few girls working for her :0)
I could never get over the filth she surrounded herself with, no excuse as soap and water was available!
July 31, 2010
These set of books give a brilliantly written account of growing up in Liverpool and are so well written you feel like you know the main characted. A real must have and once picked up very hard to put down.
February 8, 2019
I'm a big fan of Helen Forrester, but this book wasn't as good as her 'autobiographical' books. I am reading her books in the order in which she wrote them. I hope the later books reach her earlier standards.
April 14, 2021
Set in the abject poverty of 1930’s Liverpool. Not sure if it’s believable that a woman as filthy as Daisy is portrayed could attract clients, who knows? However, whilst I did enjoy the premise and the characters the abrupt ending was very unexpected and frustrating.
Read
August 14, 2009a brilliant story, xxxxxxxxxxx
January 6, 2012
The desperation of poverty, and the strength of the human spirit and love. Eye-opening.
January 19, 2012
Wasn't really my cup of tea. Set in Liverpool in the 1930s and is about Daisy who turned to prostitution to by health care for her sister-in-law.
April 1, 2013
I am a big fan of Helen Forrester but this isn't up to her other books.
January 7, 2016
Brilliant.
A great holiday read. Couldn't put it down. I read it in two day's. Didn't talk much to my Husband d
A great holiday read. Couldn't put it down. I read it in two day's. Didn't talk much to my Husband d
May 11, 2021
Liverpool Daisy is set between the wars, about how Daisy Gallagher manages to make life bearable for her family and her lifelong friend, Nellie.
Daisy lives down by the docks in depression era Liverpool. Her husband Mike is away for months at a time, working on the ships that come and go from the docks. Life is hard, with many people seeking work but few finding, it so living off of Parish assistance. Daisy’s circumstances change dramatically soon after we meet her, with the death of her mother.
Daisy, now the oldest living member of her family, has become the head of her ‘clan’. The death of her mother, which of course is also the death of her mother’s pension, leaves the household, previously on the breadline, now practically in poverty. Daisy, in addition to her mother’s former pension, receives a weekly allotment from the shipping company employing her husband.
Whilst returning from a dental appointment, Daisy by chance, discovers a ‘new’ way to support those she cares about. Of course her new way is, in reality, one of the oldest professions.
Albeit that Liverpool Daisy includes an element of prostitution, it is not likely to offend anyone with a sensititive disposition. If you’ll forgive my, perhaps ill chosen, terminology, the best I can come up with is that Liverpool Daisy is more chick-lit than mummy porn.
Liverpool Daisy is certainly not a book I would have chosen for myself. It was selected by the book group I’m a member of. Neither is Helen Forrester an author I will return to, unless the book group selects another of her titles.
The book could be shortened by about a quarter, by dropping some of the unnecessary descriptive elements padding out the story. It is also unfortunate that some of the descriptions use excessively explicit language that sometimes is not appropriate to the setting or the characters involved.
A minor, but irritating, point. The illustration of Daisy on the book’s cover bears no resemblance to the description of Daisy within Forrester’s story.
Daisy lives down by the docks in depression era Liverpool. Her husband Mike is away for months at a time, working on the ships that come and go from the docks. Life is hard, with many people seeking work but few finding, it so living off of Parish assistance. Daisy’s circumstances change dramatically soon after we meet her, with the death of her mother.
Daisy, now the oldest living member of her family, has become the head of her ‘clan’. The death of her mother, which of course is also the death of her mother’s pension, leaves the household, previously on the breadline, now practically in poverty. Daisy, in addition to her mother’s former pension, receives a weekly allotment from the shipping company employing her husband.
Whilst returning from a dental appointment, Daisy by chance, discovers a ‘new’ way to support those she cares about. Of course her new way is, in reality, one of the oldest professions.
Albeit that Liverpool Daisy includes an element of prostitution, it is not likely to offend anyone with a sensititive disposition. If you’ll forgive my, perhaps ill chosen, terminology, the best I can come up with is that Liverpool Daisy is more chick-lit than mummy porn.
Liverpool Daisy is certainly not a book I would have chosen for myself. It was selected by the book group I’m a member of. Neither is Helen Forrester an author I will return to, unless the book group selects another of her titles.
The book could be shortened by about a quarter, by dropping some of the unnecessary descriptive elements padding out the story. It is also unfortunate that some of the descriptions use excessively explicit language that sometimes is not appropriate to the setting or the characters involved.
A minor, but irritating, point. The illustration of Daisy on the book’s cover bears no resemblance to the description of Daisy within Forrester’s story.
March 31, 2020
We are in 1931. Daisy lives with her mother in Liverpool, her husband works on board a steamer. She gets allotment ( a new term to me- other than land) which is part of his wages each week. When her mother dies, her pension dies with her and Daisy is struggling to make ends meet…. until a chance meeting gives her another way of making an income. I enjoyed this and learnt from it. We take so many things for granted these days. Daisy hadn’t even got a change of clothes and only washed after her monthlies which ceased a long time ago. Anything else was seen as unnecessary. She had pawned so much there was little left , not even clean bed sheets. Daisy is a character who despite everything has a positive outlook on life- something we can all currently learn from. A heart of gold goes so much further than a crock of gold in many ways and Daisy managed both. A book that made me smile and made me think. Of life of caring and that the little things really do mean a lot. A treasure of a read.
September 3, 2023
Really enjoyed this Book..
I grew up in Manchester UK..Born War time, I saw some of these
Desperate Run Down Families.. Salford & Surrounding Areas.
People really hard a Hard Time trying to get by..
This book is Fiction...But lots of Stories I am sure happened
Out of Desperation.Like this..
I enjoyed reading about Daisy..& her misfit family..
After living in U.S for so many years…
I loved reading about..
I grew up in Manchester UK..Born War time, I saw some of these
Desperate Run Down Families.. Salford & Surrounding Areas.
People really hard a Hard Time trying to get by..
This book is Fiction...But lots of Stories I am sure happened
Out of Desperation.Like this..
I enjoyed reading about Daisy..& her misfit family..
After living in U.S for so many years…
I loved reading about..
November 5, 2025
I love the way Helen Forrester is able to bring to live a culture that is so alien and different from today, but at the same time make the characters so relatable.
Liverpool Daisy's actions were totally understandable. Morality can sometimes effect one's attitude if they come to a story with a prejudice. However, because the reader is given the reasons behind the decisions made, they become secondary to the goal.
A really enjoyable read.
Liverpool Daisy's actions were totally understandable. Morality can sometimes effect one's attitude if they come to a story with a prejudice. However, because the reader is given the reasons behind the decisions made, they become secondary to the goal.
A really enjoyable read.
December 12, 2020
This book was sad and sometimes funny . At times I found is almost depressing . Daisy was a strong woman who made some poor choices on behalf of a beloved friend. She had a family with strained relations and children who had gone astray . She lived a life of poverty ; but never gave up on life. I thought the book needed a better ending and felt disappointed that it didn’t have more closure.
May 31, 2021
Super
It was a very intriguing and interesting read , not that I approve to her job. However, I could see se wanted to make a better life for herself and her family. I did giggle with some of her siblings rivalry. It was heartwarming to read about the tender care she gave her best friend. Overall, a good four stars awarded for the loving way the story was told. Thank you.😊
It was a very intriguing and interesting read , not that I approve to her job. However, I could see se wanted to make a better life for herself and her family. I did giggle with some of her siblings rivalry. It was heartwarming to read about the tender care she gave her best friend. Overall, a good four stars awarded for the loving way the story was told. Thank you.😊
January 4, 2021
A great read
I enjoyed reading this book about Daisy and her life in Liverpool. Helen Forrester really brought the characters to life. It highlighted how hard life was back in those days.
I enjoyed reading this book about Daisy and her life in Liverpool. Helen Forrester really brought the characters to life. It highlighted how hard life was back in those days.
January 12, 2021
Liked it!!
It did make me laugh and cry!. You love all the characters even if you didn't like them. Wanted to yell at the men to stop but knew it was part of the culture . Really enjoyed .
It did make me laugh and cry!. You love all the characters even if you didn't like them. Wanted to yell at the men to stop but knew it was part of the culture . Really enjoyed .
January 22, 2021
I found the book entertaining, funny and sad at the same time. I was a little disappointed at the end, i was left looking to see if there was a follow up on this story. All in all a fast enjoyable read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews