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The Gibson Family #1
Salem Street
Salem Street traces the early life of Annie Gibson, born on the fifteenth of May 1820, in the front bedroom of her parents' new house in Bilsden. When the story begins, Salem Street is brand new: eight small terraced houses built by a Lancashire mill owner for his better workers. Annie Gibson's family is one of the first to move in - a step up in the world for them. But when her mother dies, Annie's happy childhood ends and she is left to help bring up her brother and sister.
Red-haired, intelligent and startlingly pretty, Annie soon finds herself banished from home by a jealous stepmother. She finds work in the local doctor's household where she learns about the fascinating world outside Salem Street. And when her adored childhood friend, Matt, asks her to marry him Annie thinks her dreams are coming true.
But suddenly everything turns upside down. Abandoned and pregnant after a brutal attack, Annie returns to Salem Street, where an unexpected offer gives her independence.
One day, she vows, she will move into the wider world again. One day.
Red-haired, intelligent and startlingly pretty, Annie soon finds herself banished from home by a jealous stepmother. She finds work in the local doctor's household where she learns about the fascinating world outside Salem Street. And when her adored childhood friend, Matt, asks her to marry him Annie thinks her dreams are coming true.
But suddenly everything turns upside down. Abandoned and pregnant after a brutal attack, Annie returns to Salem Street, where an unexpected offer gives her independence.
One day, she vows, she will move into the wider world again. One day.
496 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 15, 2020
My "go to" book when I'm sad, or ill, or just need to 'comfort read'. I never get tired of Annie's story, it was the first AJ book I read and I've been hooked ever since. Salem Street will always have a special piece of my heart
December 4, 2022
I absolutely fell in love with the Gibson family. The author tells a very real and gritty tale of daily survival, good times, brief moments of happiness and despair from 1820s . The characters are well-developed and you feel as the reader as part of the family feeling as they feel. You experience the filth of the squalor and poverty of the characters, their closeness, family irritations, the love, the dislike we all experience being part of a family and the times that the friends you choose are at times closer to you than family members.
Jacobs beautifully portrays the accent and dialect of the Lancashire people that you hear it distinctly as you are reading it. She is unsparing with her depiction of difficult lives, the divide between rich and poor is grittily described, and the ease with which a man can get away with cruelty is very realistic and uncomfortable at times. she doesn't settle for a simple story of bad men and good women, each character has elements of both to varying degrees. Women too are cruel through jealousy, envy and bitterness bringing deliberate hardship to others.
The social history is excellently researched from where you see the Methodist church begins to make itself known in the residents of the mill town. A trained doctor begins to make a difference in the health of said residents and where a young Annie Gibson starts her employment as a servant in his household. And the divide between North and South is very evident and already beginning to take effect.
The loving father John Gibson with his weaknesses and inability to stand up to his second wife May, who neglects not only her stepchildren but her own children with him. It is great to see how the relationship between Annie and her brother Tom grows from not particularly liking one another to one of personal support and business partnership to work together to leave the slums behind them.
Lastly Annie herself a strong characterisation which sees her in service, courting and then horribly raped by another man leaving her pregnant and then marrying a kind much older man with his own disability and yearning to have a child of his own after she is spurned by her sweetheart as damaged goods. It is her determination to care for her expanding family of siblings and succeed in business very much in a man's world in the 1830s and early 1840s that drives this novel. This novel is first in a series of 5 books, although it is a thoroughly enjoyable and enthralling tale on its own, and a great introduction to both the author, the series, the area, and the lives of mill workers and women at home or in service.
Jacobs beautifully portrays the accent and dialect of the Lancashire people that you hear it distinctly as you are reading it. She is unsparing with her depiction of difficult lives, the divide between rich and poor is grittily described, and the ease with which a man can get away with cruelty is very realistic and uncomfortable at times. she doesn't settle for a simple story of bad men and good women, each character has elements of both to varying degrees. Women too are cruel through jealousy, envy and bitterness bringing deliberate hardship to others.
The social history is excellently researched from where you see the Methodist church begins to make itself known in the residents of the mill town. A trained doctor begins to make a difference in the health of said residents and where a young Annie Gibson starts her employment as a servant in his household. And the divide between North and South is very evident and already beginning to take effect.
The loving father John Gibson with his weaknesses and inability to stand up to his second wife May, who neglects not only her stepchildren but her own children with him. It is great to see how the relationship between Annie and her brother Tom grows from not particularly liking one another to one of personal support and business partnership to work together to leave the slums behind them.
Lastly Annie herself a strong characterisation which sees her in service, courting and then horribly raped by another man leaving her pregnant and then marrying a kind much older man with his own disability and yearning to have a child of his own after she is spurned by her sweetheart as damaged goods. It is her determination to care for her expanding family of siblings and succeed in business very much in a man's world in the 1830s and early 1840s that drives this novel. This novel is first in a series of 5 books, although it is a thoroughly enjoyable and enthralling tale on its own, and a great introduction to both the author, the series, the area, and the lives of mill workers and women at home or in service.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2022
The first story in The Gibson series’s, have loved reading story Annie Gibson is a great character 🥰
April 13, 2017
3.5 stars
July 3, 2018
Evoking the language, location and people of Lancashire, Anna Jacobs’ Salem Street takes readers to a time when mills were opening, cheap lodging was proliferating across once green valleys providing homes for workers, and a woman’s place was to bear children. Having grown up around Lancashire accents, I particularly appreciated how quickly I heard the voices of my youth in the dialog—easy to read and understand, yet beautifully portraying accent and dialect. The author spares no feelings with her depiction of difficult lives, the divide between rich and poor, and the ease with which a man can get away with cruelty. But this isn’t a story of bad men and good women. Women have a cruelty all their own, and both men and women can work for good or for evil. The Methodist church begins to make inroads in a mill town. A trained doctor begins to make a difference in the health of a neighborhood. And the divide between North and South is already beginning to take effect.
With pleasing characters, a strong female protagonist, and well-researched, convincing history, this novel is first in a series, a thoroughly enjoyable and enthralling tale on its own, and a great introduction the author, the area, and the lives of mill workers and women at home or in service.
Disclosure: I borrowed it from my Mum
With pleasing characters, a strong female protagonist, and well-researched, convincing history, this novel is first in a series, a thoroughly enjoyable and enthralling tale on its own, and a great introduction the author, the area, and the lives of mill workers and women at home or in service.
Disclosure: I borrowed it from my Mum
August 11, 2016
Book 1 in a series by this author. Having read and enjoyed several books by Anna Jacobs, I shall try to read the next book in the Gibson family saga, when my library can get a copy in for me! Set in a mill town near Manchester in second half of 19th Century, this is the story of Annie Gibson, born into a very poor household and her struggles to make something of her life and improve the situation of her family.
April 13, 2026
Hooked on this series already and I've only read book 1 so far.
I started this book at the weekend and finished the 15 hour audio book early this morning and have already started on the 2nd one. From chapter 1 I was hooked on the characters and setting.
This series has been on my TBR list for a while however have only just got around to it as was waiting for other books to come out so decided to give this a try. I expected it to be good as I have read other series by this author in the past and this one did not disappoint.
I found myself within the first few chapters getting hooked on the characters and there lives. I love the setting of Lancashire as it's where I am from although I live in Birmingham now. Until finding Anna Jacobs and similar authors I had never been into historical books however now I am into this authors work and have found others who write similar.
I found the characters very well developed and I found myself caring about Annie the main character and love her strength and determination to better herself. I enjoyed the time the book was set in and learning how people lived in these times. This was a fantastic book and if this book is anything to go by I am going to be hooked on this series.
Anne Dover was a perfect reader for this book and has read other series I've read by her as well. She gave each character there own voice and does a really good northern accent.
This was a very easy 5 stars for me.
I started this book at the weekend and finished the 15 hour audio book early this morning and have already started on the 2nd one. From chapter 1 I was hooked on the characters and setting.
This series has been on my TBR list for a while however have only just got around to it as was waiting for other books to come out so decided to give this a try. I expected it to be good as I have read other series by this author in the past and this one did not disappoint.
I found myself within the first few chapters getting hooked on the characters and there lives. I love the setting of Lancashire as it's where I am from although I live in Birmingham now. Until finding Anna Jacobs and similar authors I had never been into historical books however now I am into this authors work and have found others who write similar.
I found the characters very well developed and I found myself caring about Annie the main character and love her strength and determination to better herself. I enjoyed the time the book was set in and learning how people lived in these times. This was a fantastic book and if this book is anything to go by I am going to be hooked on this series.
Anne Dover was a perfect reader for this book and has read other series I've read by her as well. She gave each character there own voice and does a really good northern accent.
This was a very easy 5 stars for me.
January 8, 2020
Brilliant story.
Annie was so positive with everything she does in this story the loss of her mother was very sad.The doctor then got her the job in his house although the mistress was horrible.The love of her life let her down but thankfully Charlie was there for her such a lovely man to have married her after the awful rape ordeal and willing to take on the child she was carrying.Thank goodness William survived the fever.Tom,Kathy,Alice and her friend Pauline we're great friends to help her achieve her goals in life.I was 😢for her father losing his second wife and the children but thankfully Annie will be there for them in the next book for shore.can't wait to get reading.
Annie was so positive with everything she does in this story the loss of her mother was very sad.The doctor then got her the job in his house although the mistress was horrible.The love of her life let her down but thankfully Charlie was there for her such a lovely man to have married her after the awful rape ordeal and willing to take on the child she was carrying.Thank goodness William survived the fever.Tom,Kathy,Alice and her friend Pauline we're great friends to help her achieve her goals in life.I was 😢for her father losing his second wife and the children but thankfully Annie will be there for them in the next book for shore.can't wait to get reading.
April 19, 2019
3.5
This book started so well that I couldn't put it down and even recommended it to my friend. I was so sure I'm going to give it 5 stars. But around the end of the first half of the book things started to get really boring the author retold the updates of all the families in the street which were practically the same. The same event or comment retold by different people exactly the same way multiple times. Their way of speaking e.g."She hated the man, Ann did." I don't know if people really spoke all the time like that in the past but it was redundant and boring. 3.5 stars for the great beginning and because I still want to know if Annie made her dream come true.
This book started so well that I couldn't put it down and even recommended it to my friend. I was so sure I'm going to give it 5 stars. But around the end of the first half of the book things started to get really boring the author retold the updates of all the families in the street which were practically the same. The same event or comment retold by different people exactly the same way multiple times. Their way of speaking e.g."She hated the man, Ann did." I don't know if people really spoke all the time like that in the past but it was redundant and boring. 3.5 stars for the great beginning and because I still want to know if Annie made her dream come true.
Read
July 5, 2022This was a wonderful book to read, it’s about a gal named Annie Gibson . She was born in the year 1820 to John and Lucy Gibson, Annie was born in a mill town and her family is very poor but she makes friends with the town physician Dr. Jeremy Lewis and Sally Smith who is not such a respectable lady but is very kind. Annie goes on to become friends with Ellie Peters who is the same age as Annie. And then the tale goes on to four more books that I really enjoyed.
June 12, 2018
This is the next book in the J challenge, the second book by Anna Jacobs and the first book in the Gibson family saga. You had me at saga, after all who can't resist a saga? Anyway quite solid, although it does move through some time pretty quickly.
Anyway it will be interesting to see how the saga develops.
Anyway it will be interesting to see how the saga develops.
July 6, 2020
Brilliant
A brilliant read from the moment I started reading this book, this is my second time reading this series. I’ve read all your books Anna and enjoyed every one. God Bless you and your continuing success.xx
A brilliant read from the moment I started reading this book, this is my second time reading this series. I’ve read all your books Anna and enjoyed every one. God Bless you and your continuing success.xx
February 14, 2019
Empowering, and Inspiring
October 15, 2019
Brilliant
October 25, 2019
Live Anna's books
There is nothing to dislike. Once you take the book I wish it never ends. My goodness..such capturing novelist. Yes she is
There is nothing to dislike. Once you take the book I wish it never ends. My goodness..such capturing novelist. Yes she is
January 22, 2020
Wonderful uplifting read.
An entertaining take from an accomplished storyteller. I look forward to the other books in the series. Wonderful historical detail.
An entertaining take from an accomplished storyteller. I look forward to the other books in the series. Wonderful historical detail.
April 19, 2020
Good read
Good read. Enjoying this series as well as others by this author. Have been reading all her books back to back
Good read. Enjoying this series as well as others by this author. Have been reading all her books back to back
February 23, 2021
A good interesting first book series
This was a real family saga book, following the lives of the Gibson family. It will be interesting to see Annie’s life progress.
This was a real family saga book, following the lives of the Gibson family. It will be interesting to see Annie’s life progress.
March 13, 2021
Loved this book am now reading the 2nd book in this series
April 16, 2021
Love Anna Jacobs, and this book is no exception.
December 7, 2021
A good tale
Very easy read with the story carrying you along. Believable narrative set in Lancashire. Heroine dealt a poor hand and struggles to survive. On to the next one!
Very easy read with the story carrying you along. Believable narrative set in Lancashire. Heroine dealt a poor hand and struggles to survive. On to the next one!
June 12, 2022
another page turner
Anna Jacobs delivers every time…..she is a great story teller.
She makes you feel as if you are right in the story…time and place.
Anna Jacobs delivers every time…..she is a great story teller.
She makes you feel as if you are right in the story…time and place.
January 26, 2023
Had a re read of this series and started with this book as no 1. Just love this book and the best thing is however many times I read the series each books always gives me something new
December 30, 2023
Learn about the cotton mill times, this first book of the Gibson family captivated me, I went on to read all 5 books in the series.
May 20, 2024
Here we go. Another awesome series by Anna Jacob’s. I love the start of this one and thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. On to the second one
July 21, 2024
I'll continue the series
May 22, 2025
Writes like Catherine Cookson
December 18, 2025
Could not put this book down so many twists and turns for this poor girl!
November 29, 2016
Interesting characters and life and times in a Victorian slum.
October 4, 2023
Another great Anna Jacobs book! I am so glad I got 4 of this series at once from the library as I am devouring then! Onto the next one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews