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The Girl from the Tyne
Ballroom dancer Alice Rooney seduces Jack Wood, a local boy from a good Tyneside family. With a little one on the way, Jack is forced in to a shotgun marriage. He vows to protect his baby daughter but his marriage is volatile from the start.
Damaged by her own dysfunctional childhood Alice shows not a scrap of affection towards little Lizzie. As Alice feels more trapped and unhappy, Lizzie becomes the focus of her frustration and anger. Lizzie's saving grace is her loving grandmother, Mrs Wood, who does her best to improve life for her whenever she can.
When Jack is drafted in to the Air Force at the start of WWII, Lizzie is left alone with her unstable mother and life becomes almost unbearable.
It's only when Mrs Wood steps in and introduce Lizzie to the Madame Bella's Academy for the theatrical arts, that Lizzie blossoms. Though still very young and innocent, will Lizzie fulfil her dream to escape her mother's clutches and leave Newcastle behind to pursue a glittering theatrical future? And will she be safe, if she does?
Damaged by her own dysfunctional childhood Alice shows not a scrap of affection towards little Lizzie. As Alice feels more trapped and unhappy, Lizzie becomes the focus of her frustration and anger. Lizzie's saving grace is her loving grandmother, Mrs Wood, who does her best to improve life for her whenever she can.
When Jack is drafted in to the Air Force at the start of WWII, Lizzie is left alone with her unstable mother and life becomes almost unbearable.
It's only when Mrs Wood steps in and introduce Lizzie to the Madame Bella's Academy for the theatrical arts, that Lizzie blossoms. Though still very young and innocent, will Lizzie fulfil her dream to escape her mother's clutches and leave Newcastle behind to pursue a glittering theatrical future? And will she be safe, if she does?
512 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 26, 2017
DNF at 4%
This was a DNF for me.
The huge inaccuracies at the beginning were enough to put me off. I don't know if the author knows much about the setting, but there are not and never have been canals in the North East.
If this is fixed in final copy, I will give it another go and adjust my review accordingly.
I got a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
This was a DNF for me.
The huge inaccuracies at the beginning were enough to put me off. I don't know if the author knows much about the setting, but there are not and never have been canals in the North East.
If this is fixed in final copy, I will give it another go and adjust my review accordingly.
I got a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
September 10, 2017
quite a nice story, but at times I felt like I was reading a Janet and John book from school, it took quite a long time to read but by the end I quite enjoyed it hence the 3 stars
September 20, 2017
The Girl from the Tyne
Really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and the narration was really good.
Since only recently starting to listen to audiobooks I have quickly realised that many of what are possibly good stories are completely ruined by the voice of the narrator.
This characters where quite good and I quickly grew to dislike Alice who was the mean,nasty mother to Alice.
Boy was this mother mean and she made Lizzie's life hell when her father went to war.
If it hadn't been for her beloved Grandma Lizzie's life wouldn't have been worth living as the rest of Lizzie's family had been told to never call to see Lizzie again.
The story covers Lizzie's life as she was growing up and this made the story quite interesting.
Would have liked to have heard a bit more about the family at the end but this was not to be.
Feel quite sad now I have finished this book as I really got into all the characters.
Really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and the narration was really good.
Since only recently starting to listen to audiobooks I have quickly realised that many of what are possibly good stories are completely ruined by the voice of the narrator.
This characters where quite good and I quickly grew to dislike Alice who was the mean,nasty mother to Alice.
Boy was this mother mean and she made Lizzie's life hell when her father went to war.
If it hadn't been for her beloved Grandma Lizzie's life wouldn't have been worth living as the rest of Lizzie's family had been told to never call to see Lizzie again.
The story covers Lizzie's life as she was growing up and this made the story quite interesting.
Would have liked to have heard a bit more about the family at the end but this was not to be.
Feel quite sad now I have finished this book as I really got into all the characters.
May 22, 2017
The Girl from the Tyne by Melody Sachs begins on the night that Jack met Alice. The author describes how Jack prepared for the ballroom dance. Before he leaves the house, he dances with his mom. It is all high spirits as the young man ventures out into the night that would later alter the course of his life. Alice was gorgeous and talented. As soon as Jack saw her on stage, he was enchanted by her beauty. He described her as a real woman unlike the girls that he had previously met. He finally gets a dance with her but quickly realizes that she is not the girl for him. However, Alice has other ideas. Jack is exactly the guy for her and she has no intention of letting him go. The night ends with the conception of Lizzie.
Alice, Jack and their daughter Lizzie have a strange, little family. Alice is one of the meanest mothers that I have ever read about. She seems to dislike Lizzie. Sometimes it appears as if she is just extremely jealous of her daughter. She didn’t want her to have friends. She hated it when her husband dotted on their little girl. From birth, Lizzie has to deal with her mother’s anger issues and jealousy. It was crazy!
I sympathized with Lizzie from the beginning and immensely disliked Alice. However, I couldn’t stop reading about her. As details of her upbringing came up, I sympathized with her a little bit but still… On the other hand, my feelings for Jack kept changing through the chapters. I liked him then hated him in equal measure. I was frustrated with how he dealt with his wife’s abuse. I know he loved his daughter and was just doing what he thought was right but it was frustrating to see him not stand up to Alice. The family members on each side were also interesting to read about. On Jack’s side, Mrs. Wood was such a lovely grandma to Lizzie. She loved her family, a fact which was evident throughout the story. Lizzie’s uncles and aunts were well portrayed in the book. On the other side, Alice’s mum, Mrs. Rooney was not very easy to like though she did have her good moments. I really liked her other daughter, Peggy though. Another key character in the book is Madame Bella. I felt like she’s is the kind of woman I would like to know(in real life). She was loud in her dressing, opinions and affection. I also liked Lizzie’s best friend, Molly and her mom, Mrs. Brown.
This book is character-driven. The author gave background stories of each character such that I felt like I knew all of them. I would roll my eyes when Alice started speaking even before she said anything but I just knew what to expect. Oh boy is what I would think whenever Mrs. Rooney showed up because I knew trouble was coming. Sometimes, I wished I could sit down with Jack and have a talk with him about standing up to Alice. Peggy made me smile each time. She was so delightful. Mrs. Wood (Lizzie’s grandma) made me wish I had known my grand folks. She is what I imagine what I think about grandmas. The characters made me feel invested in the story. This made me feel different emotions through each chapter. Most times, it was sadness and anger especially where Alice was involved. Other times, it was joy where Lizzie triumphed. It was quite a roller-coaster.
I think lovers of historical fiction or family drama will love this book. The book covers a time period of 1932 to 1950. A lot happens during the time including World War 2 which had Jack leaving his young family. The author describes the period in such a vivid manner than enabled me to understand what was going on. There were mentions of food rations, bomb shelters, air raids and descriptions of lifestyles including dressing that made the time period come alive at the background of the story. The story is harrowing yet beautiful at the same time. It is well narrated in an easy flow that helps readers follow the events through the years. I truly enjoyed reading this book and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Alice, Jack and their daughter Lizzie have a strange, little family. Alice is one of the meanest mothers that I have ever read about. She seems to dislike Lizzie. Sometimes it appears as if she is just extremely jealous of her daughter. She didn’t want her to have friends. She hated it when her husband dotted on their little girl. From birth, Lizzie has to deal with her mother’s anger issues and jealousy. It was crazy!
I sympathized with Lizzie from the beginning and immensely disliked Alice. However, I couldn’t stop reading about her. As details of her upbringing came up, I sympathized with her a little bit but still… On the other hand, my feelings for Jack kept changing through the chapters. I liked him then hated him in equal measure. I was frustrated with how he dealt with his wife’s abuse. I know he loved his daughter and was just doing what he thought was right but it was frustrating to see him not stand up to Alice. The family members on each side were also interesting to read about. On Jack’s side, Mrs. Wood was such a lovely grandma to Lizzie. She loved her family, a fact which was evident throughout the story. Lizzie’s uncles and aunts were well portrayed in the book. On the other side, Alice’s mum, Mrs. Rooney was not very easy to like though she did have her good moments. I really liked her other daughter, Peggy though. Another key character in the book is Madame Bella. I felt like she’s is the kind of woman I would like to know(in real life). She was loud in her dressing, opinions and affection. I also liked Lizzie’s best friend, Molly and her mom, Mrs. Brown.
This book is character-driven. The author gave background stories of each character such that I felt like I knew all of them. I would roll my eyes when Alice started speaking even before she said anything but I just knew what to expect. Oh boy is what I would think whenever Mrs. Rooney showed up because I knew trouble was coming. Sometimes, I wished I could sit down with Jack and have a talk with him about standing up to Alice. Peggy made me smile each time. She was so delightful. Mrs. Wood (Lizzie’s grandma) made me wish I had known my grand folks. She is what I imagine what I think about grandmas. The characters made me feel invested in the story. This made me feel different emotions through each chapter. Most times, it was sadness and anger especially where Alice was involved. Other times, it was joy where Lizzie triumphed. It was quite a roller-coaster.
I think lovers of historical fiction or family drama will love this book. The book covers a time period of 1932 to 1950. A lot happens during the time including World War 2 which had Jack leaving his young family. The author describes the period in such a vivid manner than enabled me to understand what was going on. There were mentions of food rations, bomb shelters, air raids and descriptions of lifestyles including dressing that made the time period come alive at the background of the story. The story is harrowing yet beautiful at the same time. It is well narrated in an easy flow that helps readers follow the events through the years. I truly enjoyed reading this book and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
July 23, 2017
DNF AT 51%
This book has all the ingredients that could have made it a memorable story. However, there were so many irritating factors for me, that I could not enjoy reading it at all.
I gave 2 stars because Melody Sachs has talent and was able to make me really hate the main character, Alice Rooney, it is taking talent to build a character like her. When we were switching the the POV of Lizzie, the child, I was losing interest. This is not a bad book, it is just not my cup of tea. It is very rare that I don't finish to read a book, I was hating way too many characters to enjoy the read. One thing that I know is that there are readers out there for that story and I think tey won't be disappointed.
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
This book has all the ingredients that could have made it a memorable story. However, there were so many irritating factors for me, that I could not enjoy reading it at all.
I gave 2 stars because Melody Sachs has talent and was able to make me really hate the main character, Alice Rooney, it is taking talent to build a character like her. When we were switching the the POV of Lizzie, the child, I was losing interest. This is not a bad book, it is just not my cup of tea. It is very rare that I don't finish to read a book, I was hating way too many characters to enjoy the read. One thing that I know is that there are readers out there for that story and I think tey won't be disappointed.
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
April 22, 2017
enjoyed this read of all the family problems through the war. but you must know your geordie slang through out this book i loved it
August 24, 2017
A must read
From the first page I loved this story. I went to see what other books Melody had wrote and was shocked that this was her first. I can't wait for the next one. A fabulous story with wonderful characters. Thank you Melody x
From the first page I loved this story. I went to see what other books Melody had wrote and was shocked that this was her first. I can't wait for the next one. A fabulous story with wonderful characters. Thank you Melody x
July 13, 2017
I really loved this book, I must admit at the beginning I was a bit sceptical about whether I would get on with the Geordie dialogue but after a short while I was really into this book and can't wait till the second book comes out, definitely one to look out for.
January 19, 2019
I really enjoyed this book never heard of this author before but it was a good book
April 7, 2017
I requested to review Melody Sachs first novel, “The Girl from the Tyne”. This is her first novel and I enjoyed the book very much. The story begins in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1932. Jack Wood lives with his Mum and is happy with his life. He owns a business that is prospering in spite of the depression. On this particular evening, he is heading to a dance in town. All of the young folks are there and the bands are swinging. There is a dance contest and he is smitten with Alice Rooney, one of the winners of the contest. He gets his courage together and asks her to dance. They finish the evening with each other. Alice is a forward young lady and entices Jack, which has consequences. Jack decides to do the right thing and marry her even though their families are nothing alike. Alice’s family is crude, rude and smarmy; while Jack’s is the son of a veterinarian. His family is good, supportive and loving.
Jack and Alice have a volatile relationship. Alice’s mouth is crude and rude, just like the rest of her family. Their daughter, Lizzie, bears the brunt of Alice’s wrath. Nothing she does is right, she is screamed at, embarrassed in front of her friends and their parents, yet Lizzie tries to be quiet and not anger her mother. The story continues as we see Lizzie growing up and becoming a lovely young lady in spite of the abusive relationship with her mother.
I really did enjoy reading about Lizzie. However, it was very hard to read the abusive dialogue that Alice subjected Lizzie to and I suffered with her. No one was immune from her wrath and everyone walked on eggs in order not to upset Alice and cause Lizzie more trouble. The thing I enjoyed most about this novel is the time period written about. I wish Ms. Sachs much success with her writing.
I received a Kindle copy of this book from NetGalley.com. You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-qh. Check my other reviews at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
Jack and Alice have a volatile relationship. Alice’s mouth is crude and rude, just like the rest of her family. Their daughter, Lizzie, bears the brunt of Alice’s wrath. Nothing she does is right, she is screamed at, embarrassed in front of her friends and their parents, yet Lizzie tries to be quiet and not anger her mother. The story continues as we see Lizzie growing up and becoming a lovely young lady in spite of the abusive relationship with her mother.
I really did enjoy reading about Lizzie. However, it was very hard to read the abusive dialogue that Alice subjected Lizzie to and I suffered with her. No one was immune from her wrath and everyone walked on eggs in order not to upset Alice and cause Lizzie more trouble. The thing I enjoyed most about this novel is the time period written about. I wish Ms. Sachs much success with her writing.
I received a Kindle copy of this book from NetGalley.com. You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-qh. Check my other reviews at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
April 13, 2017
I do adore stories set in the backdrop of WW2, so this story immediately piqued my interest.
Jack has been trapped into a loveless marriage with Alice. Doing the decent thing after she has his child (after 1 night of not so much passion on his behalf), he makes an honest woman of her and tries to do the right thing.
But both Alice and her family are very difficult to like. Alice had a hard upbringing from a very harsh mother, and like her mother she has become very bitter, and jealous of her own child.
Jack is so worried about the relationship between his wife and daughter Lizzie, then the war hits and he gets his call up papers.
Things for poor little Lizzie. She is abused both mentally and physically and pushes away Jack's lovely family, which isolates Lizzie further.
Lizzie discovers her love of performing arts, which causes violent mood swings from her mother.
This story really caught me. I absolutely detested Alice and her family (apart from Peggy, who is really caring). But it also frustrated the life out of me!
Jack...come on. What a sop of a man! Stand up for your daughter you sap.
Even Lizzie frustrated me when she was so thoughtless in her brief stint in nursing...coming from a place where she has been spoken to so thoughtlessly, she knows the hurt it causes, yet still did it to people in a vulnerable position.
Unlike some WW2 novels, this one isn't so well focused on the war. It focuses more on the characters, and not how the war affected so many and how the rationing impacted on their every day lives, which left me feeling a little let down. There are so many rich stories that can be woven in such a tapestry of history.
Yet I still devoured this book in 24 hours...the emotions I felt, both frustration and delight were compelling for me.
I would read the second upcoming novel. I want to see how the characters develop, and definitely feel that there is more to come from them.
Huge thanks to Readers First and Bonnier Zaffre for a copy of this book in exchange for an open and unbiased review.
Jack has been trapped into a loveless marriage with Alice. Doing the decent thing after she has his child (after 1 night of not so much passion on his behalf), he makes an honest woman of her and tries to do the right thing.
But both Alice and her family are very difficult to like. Alice had a hard upbringing from a very harsh mother, and like her mother she has become very bitter, and jealous of her own child.
Jack is so worried about the relationship between his wife and daughter Lizzie, then the war hits and he gets his call up papers.
Things for poor little Lizzie. She is abused both mentally and physically and pushes away Jack's lovely family, which isolates Lizzie further.
Lizzie discovers her love of performing arts, which causes violent mood swings from her mother.
This story really caught me. I absolutely detested Alice and her family (apart from Peggy, who is really caring). But it also frustrated the life out of me!
Jack...come on. What a sop of a man! Stand up for your daughter you sap.
Even Lizzie frustrated me when she was so thoughtless in her brief stint in nursing...coming from a place where she has been spoken to so thoughtlessly, she knows the hurt it causes, yet still did it to people in a vulnerable position.
Unlike some WW2 novels, this one isn't so well focused on the war. It focuses more on the characters, and not how the war affected so many and how the rationing impacted on their every day lives, which left me feeling a little let down. There are so many rich stories that can be woven in such a tapestry of history.
Yet I still devoured this book in 24 hours...the emotions I felt, both frustration and delight were compelling for me.
I would read the second upcoming novel. I want to see how the characters develop, and definitely feel that there is more to come from them.
Huge thanks to Readers First and Bonnier Zaffre for a copy of this book in exchange for an open and unbiased review.
April 28, 2017
Visit the books locationsThe Girl from the Tyne
Coming from the North East, this put a smile on my face - the language, the sayings, the sing song rhymes more than took me back to that time (well not exactly, I'm now that old). This was a story set in the lead up to the war and how its shadow hovered over and changed everything that the local people of Newcastle and Blaydon did.
The tone of the novel changes as the abusive relationship between Alice and her daughter comes to the fore.
It was sad to read this at times as the woman did what she could to scupper her talented daughter's plans.
However the journey little Lizzie goes on in the world of dance - her dreams of performing at the Theatre Royal was a joy. It was hard to see this kind of abuse when the men were away at war but it makes you think just how life could be far from the battlefield, the type of story that doesn't normally get told.
I do think a few geordie phrases might have been useful here as there is a fair bit of dialogue in the dialect too which might put some people off. There is plenty warm Geordie fair to enjoy here though and the first book I've read set in Blaydon!
Coming from the North East, this put a smile on my face - the language, the sayings, the sing song rhymes more than took me back to that time (well not exactly, I'm now that old). This was a story set in the lead up to the war and how its shadow hovered over and changed everything that the local people of Newcastle and Blaydon did.
The tone of the novel changes as the abusive relationship between Alice and her daughter comes to the fore.
It was sad to read this at times as the woman did what she could to scupper her talented daughter's plans.
However the journey little Lizzie goes on in the world of dance - her dreams of performing at the Theatre Royal was a joy. It was hard to see this kind of abuse when the men were away at war but it makes you think just how life could be far from the battlefield, the type of story that doesn't normally get told.
I do think a few geordie phrases might have been useful here as there is a fair bit of dialogue in the dialect too which might put some people off. There is plenty warm Geordie fair to enjoy here though and the first book I've read set in Blaydon!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews