A Wise Child

by Elizabeth Murphy

Born at the turn of the 20th century, in a dilapidated house in the Liverpool docklands, Nellie Williams endures a childhood of ill treatment by her mother. She escapes into domestic service with a kindly employer, but when he dies, she is taken on by Joshua Leadbitter . He assaults the innocent girl, and she flees home. Sensing her unhappiness, Janey , a scheming lodger, swiftly arranges a marriage between the girl and Sam Meadows , a sailor who once befriended her. The rape is concealed from Sam and when Nellie’s son, Tommy , is born eight months later, there is doubt about his parentage. As insecurities grow, and Nellie and Sam are pushed to their breaking point, they will be forced to face the truth behind Tommy’s heritage, and make a huge decision… A gritty love letter to the author’s home town, A Wise Child is a spellbinding family saga, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Helen Forrester and Lyn Andrews

517 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 1994

Reviews

[LESLEY HEDISON · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was growing up ( born 1950) there was a saying, You always know who your mother is but can never be sure who your dad is.

This book was so reminiscent so close to reality.

First book I have read by this lady and it was bloody brilliant.

[Susan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read. However I found the last 200 pages rather hard going. Not much just a lot of black flashes for San. Could have done with a lot of editing but a happy ending!

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book held my interest for awhile but the story drags on and in the end I got bored.