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The Shipbuilder's Daughter: A beautifully written, satisfying and touching saga novel
'An epic tale of one woman's determination to follow her dreams' People's FriendSet in 1920s Scotland, this beautifully written and satisfying saga follows the fate of a shipyard owner's daughter as she is faced with an impossible decision . . . Perfect for fans of Diney Costeloe, Rita Bradshaw and Nadine Dorries.5-star reader reviews for The Shipbuilder's Daughter'Beautifully written with a great deal of empathy, very satisfying plot. Lovely mix of old Glasgow and the western Isles''A definite must-buy''A lovely read''Fabulous reading'Glasgow, 1928. Margaret Bannatyne lost both of her brothers in the Great War and is now the last remaining child of wealthy and powerful shipyard owner William Bannatyne. Without a male heir to carry on the family business, William expects his daughter to do her duty, marry well and provide him with a grandson to inherit his business.Margaret cares deeply for her father but she has ambitions of her after witnessing a horrific accident when she was sixteen, she's determined to become a doctor. Her father, convinced she will never practise medicine, permits Margaret to complete her training. But he doesn't count on her falling in love with Alasdair Morrison.Alasdair, a union man at the shipyard, has been a thorn in William's side for years, and he didn't become one of the richest men in Glasgow only for Alasdair to take it all away - even if it means destroying his only daughter's happiness by forcing her to make a heartbreaking and impossible choice . . .
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 21, 2017
Margaret Bannatyne knows her father expects her to marry Robert and provide an heir to his shipyard. Although Margaret tries to go along with her father’s wishes, she has plans of her own. They included being a doctor. But then she meets Alasdair Morrison. Alasdair is a strongly principled man. He is also a staunch union man who has been a problem for Margaret’s father for a long time and William Bannatyne, one of the richest men in Glasgow, is not the type to have his wishes and plans thwarted. Set in the 1920s and 1930s this gives a very clear picture of attitudes and conditions of the time. It shows the difference in standards of living between those living in the poorer areas of Glasgow and the rich.
Margaret is a determined woman who has to make some hard choices in her life. So do Alasdair. Those choices put their lives under threat. William Bannatyne, Margaret’s father, is a thoroughly self-obsessed and vindictive man. He is offset by the kindness and loving support of other many characters in this story.
I was thoroughly involved in this story with its pictures of Glasgow and also the Outer Hebrides and the people there. It was a pleasure the read a story that had strong characters who engaged my emotions, great settings and an interesting story told by an author who didn’t feel the need to subject readers to the f word and other such language. The author has done her research on the times and knows how to tell a story that pulls you in and make you feel for the characters. This was a pleasurable and refreshing read about love, loyalty, responsibility, choices and standing up for what you believe. This is my first book by this author and I would be keen to read more of her work.
Margaret is a determined woman who has to make some hard choices in her life. So do Alasdair. Those choices put their lives under threat. William Bannatyne, Margaret’s father, is a thoroughly self-obsessed and vindictive man. He is offset by the kindness and loving support of other many characters in this story.
I was thoroughly involved in this story with its pictures of Glasgow and also the Outer Hebrides and the people there. It was a pleasure the read a story that had strong characters who engaged my emotions, great settings and an interesting story told by an author who didn’t feel the need to subject readers to the f word and other such language. The author has done her research on the times and knows how to tell a story that pulls you in and make you feel for the characters. This was a pleasurable and refreshing read about love, loyalty, responsibility, choices and standing up for what you believe. This is my first book by this author and I would be keen to read more of her work.
July 4, 2017
The Shipbuilder's Daughter is one of those books you just don't want to put down, with a story and characters that stay with you for a long time after you come to the last page. Set against the background of the shipbuilding industry in Glasgow in the thirties, it is the love story of Margaret and Alasdair. Margaret wants to become a doctor, but in order to achieve her goal,she has to face some hard choices and adversity along the way. This book is a satisfying read, well researched and crafted, that involves you with the beautifully-drawn characters in such a way that you actually miss them when you have finished. I have read Emma Fraser's previous two books and loved them too, but this one is - to my mind - her best so far. An excellent book that I would recommend highly.
July 11, 2017
I absolutely loved the previous books by the same author and was looking forward to reading this one. The Shipbuilder's daughter is set in 1920's and 1930's Scotland, both in Glasgow & the Outer Hebrides (North Uist & Grimsay). It is a well-researched novel and its medical background is as strong as in When the Dawn breaks and We shall remember. It explores some of the same themes, too (female medical pioneers, class differences). The descriptions of life in Govan as well as life in the islands are truly fascinating and enthralling.
As for the characters, Emma Fraser knows how to write strong female leads. I found Alasdair a bit too good to be true sometimes, but his single-mindedness made up for his somewhat annoying perfection. Also, the secondary characters were great, especially when the setting moved to North Uist .
The bottom line is : don't mind the (once again) cheesy cover and go read this book !
4,5 stars for this compelling historical novel.
As for the characters, Emma Fraser knows how to write strong female leads. I found Alasdair a bit too good to be true sometimes, but his single-mindedness made up for his somewhat annoying perfection. Also, the secondary characters were great, especially when the setting moved to North Uist .
The bottom line is : don't mind the (once again) cheesy cover and go read this book !
4,5 stars for this compelling historical novel.
September 26, 2018
Set in Scotland in 1928, the story begins in the Bannatyne shipbuilding yard in Glasgow with a bad accident seen by a young Margaret Bannatyne, daughter of the owner. She questions her father's cavalier attitude towards his workers and is impressed by one of the workmen's first aid knowledge. A few years later, after training as a doctor, a relationship develops between Margaret and the workman, Alasdair, but her troubles mount with her father and she has to flee to the Outer Hebrides. A good story exploring the attitudes and working conditions which were prevalent at the time.
July 25, 2017
A lovely book
One of those books that tears at the heartstrings. I couldn't put it down. Very emotional at times, but a great storyline. One of the best books I've read for a long time.
One of those books that tears at the heartstrings. I couldn't put it down. Very emotional at times, but a great storyline. One of the best books I've read for a long time.
October 1, 2024
This was my most anticipated read for September and it didn't go as expected.
The summary leads us to believe that we'd be watching Margaret and Alasdair fall in love and see how it changes their lives as they go against convention. And we do - for about 20% of the book. The rest of the book is about Margaret being a doctor on a remote island. She and Alasdair were hardly together in the book.
The summary leads us to believe that we'd be watching Margaret and Alasdair fall in love and see how it changes their lives as they go against convention. And we do - for about 20% of the book. The rest of the book is about Margaret being a doctor on a remote island. She and Alasdair were hardly together in the book.
November 13, 2020
A good saga set in the shipbuilding area in Scotland regarding the daughter of a shipbuilder firm who goes against his advice and falls for a general worker rather than the upstart he wants her to marry
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews