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Hay Bales and Hollyhocks
The Cambridge Fens, 1938.
Little Rosanna is part of a close-knit Fenland family and the youngest of three cousins. In a time of childhood abandon and adventures on the water, life couldn't be more perfect.
But things are not always as they seem. When Rosanna's new baby brother is born, tragedy strikes the family. And, with the outbreak of World War Two just around the corner, and a move to the Norfolk countryside, Rosanna's life is changed forever . . .
For fans of Katie Flynn and Sheila Jeffries, Little Rosanna is a heart-warming novel from the Queen of family saga, Sheila Newberry.
Little Rosanna is part of a close-knit Fenland family and the youngest of three cousins. In a time of childhood abandon and adventures on the water, life couldn't be more perfect.
But things are not always as they seem. When Rosanna's new baby brother is born, tragedy strikes the family. And, with the outbreak of World War Two just around the corner, and a move to the Norfolk countryside, Rosanna's life is changed forever . . .
For fans of Katie Flynn and Sheila Jeffries, Little Rosanna is a heart-warming novel from the Queen of family saga, Sheila Newberry.
400 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2016
8 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 14, 2019
A family saga set in Norfolk, Englad between 1938 and 1968.
The main character is Rosanna, but the story features many family members and friends. Although this book has secrets, marriages, deaths and births aplenty I still found it a bit slow, it didn't really inspire me as some books do. It was a okay read for me.
The main character is Rosanna, but the story features many family members and friends. Although this book has secrets, marriages, deaths and births aplenty I still found it a bit slow, it didn't really inspire me as some books do. It was a okay read for me.
December 30, 2016
An atmospheric story of Rosanna as it comes full circle spanning from her childhood to being a mother herself.
June 11, 2017
A cosy but not memorable read.
November 17, 2016
Hay Bales and Hollyhocks is a British family saga set between the years 1938 and 1968 mainly in and around Kings Lynn, Norfolk. The prologue opens in 1968 with Rosanne and Sim, two travelers, recently met.
The book then turns back to 1938, four year old Rosy lives in the fens with her extended family. She plays with her older cousins in and around the river Ouse, but soon a baby brother arrives to change her life. During the first years of the war, the women and children move into Kings Lynn for safety while the men go to war, but when a bomb falls too closely they find new cottages on a farm.
The war brings it's own trials and obstacles for Rosy and her family. In later years, Rosy yearns for her freedom, she spends an idyllic summer holiday boating on the river Ouse once again with her cousins, but soon her life is turned upside down again by a sibling.
This is a book packed with detailed nostalgia of the era, showing thorough knowledge and research by the author, but at times it felt a little like walking around a living museum rather than relying on the writing style, language and story content to create the atmosphere of yesteryear.
The book then turns back to 1938, four year old Rosy lives in the fens with her extended family. She plays with her older cousins in and around the river Ouse, but soon a baby brother arrives to change her life. During the first years of the war, the women and children move into Kings Lynn for safety while the men go to war, but when a bomb falls too closely they find new cottages on a farm.
The war brings it's own trials and obstacles for Rosy and her family. In later years, Rosy yearns for her freedom, she spends an idyllic summer holiday boating on the river Ouse once again with her cousins, but soon her life is turned upside down again by a sibling.
This is a book packed with detailed nostalgia of the era, showing thorough knowledge and research by the author, but at times it felt a little like walking around a living museum rather than relying on the writing style, language and story content to create the atmosphere of yesteryear.
April 10, 2019
Rosy. Merle. Derry.
I enjoyed thus story. Though not enough going on. It needed more elaboration within the events. I was disappointed with the ending too, that also could have been more in-depth. What I did like the most was the memories it brought to my mind, me being born in 1947. Rationing was still in place. Poor diet that gave me chalk teeth, dentures now only on top. Where it mentions having the pay packets brought around as you kept working. The movie's with a half time recess. It was a trip down memory lane for me, having come from England, I could relate so much to the storyline. I hope you enjoy the journey too if your from this era.
I enjoyed thus story. Though not enough going on. It needed more elaboration within the events. I was disappointed with the ending too, that also could have been more in-depth. What I did like the most was the memories it brought to my mind, me being born in 1947. Rationing was still in place. Poor diet that gave me chalk teeth, dentures now only on top. Where it mentions having the pay packets brought around as you kept working. The movie's with a half time recess. It was a trip down memory lane for me, having come from England, I could relate so much to the storyline. I hope you enjoy the journey too if your from this era.
January 27, 2021
Good book ,enjoyed reading it .
October 19, 2016
I received a review copy of this book with thanks to the author and publisher.
This is the first novel I have read by Sheila Newberry. The story revolves around 3 cousins who grow up in the Cambridge Fens and is set in the period from 1938-1968.
It is written in an easy to read style and is a nostalgic vision of a bygone era. There are plenty of shocks and hidden family secrets to entice the reader along the way.
A gentle non demanding family saga.
This is the first novel I have read by Sheila Newberry. The story revolves around 3 cousins who grow up in the Cambridge Fens and is set in the period from 1938-1968.
It is written in an easy to read style and is a nostalgic vision of a bygone era. There are plenty of shocks and hidden family secrets to entice the reader along the way.
A gentle non demanding family saga.
September 26, 2016
I was sent an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. What a delightful read. This is my second book by Sheila and I really enjoyed it. The story is all about little Rosanna and what happens to her and her family as World War Two strikes. It is interesting to read about that era and I learnt things I didn't even know. A lovely warm hearted read.
November 12, 2016
Lovely read for those interested in how rural Britons, especially children, dealt with WWII. This has been a plot of many novels but Newberry has found some nice niches to explore. This is a quiet story of a family. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Want to read
September 7, 2018A good book and look at lives.during and after ww3
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews