What do you think?
Rate this book
Doris
A compelling and visceral story that touches the depth of human hearts. Based on a true encounter by the author, H.O.WARD, presents his character Doris as a homeless vagabond on the streets of London, where she has the misfortune to fall ill and taken to hospital by her street friend Harry. It is Harry who continues the story of Doris, a caring Queen Alexandra Nurse, telling of her journey through military training in Inveraray, Scotland, her experience of war torn Italy in Anzio, and romance in Florence, before returning to England, smuggled in on a fishing boat, to a homeless life on the streets of London. Read what can only be described as a sensitive walk through the life of a lovely lady, with its highs and heart-wrenching lows...
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2020
2 people want to read
About the author
H.O. Ward
7 books13 followersI'm hooked on writing . . .
It has been a slow start but since retiring I find myself at my desk most days writing one thing or another.
It all began with poetry before writing about a life experience as detailed in my first novel Doris. To write Doris I needed to research the facts and the places in which she found herself and I found this to be most enjoyable to bring history back to life while delivering a realistic fictitious story.
I stuck with historical fiction for my second novel 'Across The Parallel' and added a spiritual aspect to the story that put a whole new spin into the book; released November 2021.
For my third book, for which writing has commenced, I am changing tack and writing a totally fictitious story titled 'Venice Lagoon.'
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy my books.
Regards . . . H.O.WARD
It has been a slow start but since retiring I find myself at my desk most days writing one thing or another.
It all began with poetry before writing about a life experience as detailed in my first novel Doris. To write Doris I needed to research the facts and the places in which she found herself and I found this to be most enjoyable to bring history back to life while delivering a realistic fictitious story.
I stuck with historical fiction for my second novel 'Across The Parallel' and added a spiritual aspect to the story that put a whole new spin into the book; released November 2021.
For my third book, for which writing has commenced, I am changing tack and writing a totally fictitious story titled 'Venice Lagoon.'
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy my books.
Regards . . . H.O.WARD
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 24, 2023
Following on from a wonderful conversation with Howard, a local author, at the No Limits Festival at Normanby Hall near Scunthorpe I left with a gift of Doris to read and give an honest review of.
I started the book when I got back from the festival yesterday afternoon and, apart from a break for a good night's sleep I couldn't put it down. The storyline is very emotive in all its elements showing a depth to Doris and the people she meets that will move you many times throughout the telling of her story by Harry. It is a story that also serves to remind us that you never judge anyone on what you first see as you do not know anything about their story at the first encounter.
The language and description used in the story as you are taken back to Doris' time as a Queen Alexandra Nurse, who is determined to do her duty for the maimed and injured throughout the second world war, serves to create an incredible image of this selfless woman and the nurses she works with who risk their own lives to try and save others. I was totally engrossed in the development of Doris and her history from the very first page, where we also meet , and lose Joe, the true life character within the book.
One aspect you will take away from the story is that there is love and humanity all around us - it just takes some looking for at times and you shouldn't prejudge what you first see. There may be times in many peoples lives when they are down on their luck - it doesn't mean it has always been this way and we should all be there to show some compassion and support like Harry.
It goes without saying that there are times when you will feel emotion and the ending brought a lump to my throat. This is a story that is humbling , for the right reasons, and will stay with me for a long time. It has been an absolute privilege to have been asked to review Doris and , in my opinion
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 isn't enough.
I started the book when I got back from the festival yesterday afternoon and, apart from a break for a good night's sleep I couldn't put it down. The storyline is very emotive in all its elements showing a depth to Doris and the people she meets that will move you many times throughout the telling of her story by Harry. It is a story that also serves to remind us that you never judge anyone on what you first see as you do not know anything about their story at the first encounter.
The language and description used in the story as you are taken back to Doris' time as a Queen Alexandra Nurse, who is determined to do her duty for the maimed and injured throughout the second world war, serves to create an incredible image of this selfless woman and the nurses she works with who risk their own lives to try and save others. I was totally engrossed in the development of Doris and her history from the very first page, where we also meet , and lose Joe, the true life character within the book.
One aspect you will take away from the story is that there is love and humanity all around us - it just takes some looking for at times and you shouldn't prejudge what you first see. There may be times in many peoples lives when they are down on their luck - it doesn't mean it has always been this way and we should all be there to show some compassion and support like Harry.
It goes without saying that there are times when you will feel emotion and the ending brought a lump to my throat. This is a story that is humbling , for the right reasons, and will stay with me for a long time. It has been an absolute privilege to have been asked to review Doris and , in my opinion
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 isn't enough.
January 9, 2022
I truly enjoyed this book.
Right from the first page where Doris is homeless and living on the street, I had to find out why.
I was not disappointed; H.O.WARD introduces you to Dorothy and takes you back to the beginning of her story. Dorothy is a young and dedicated nurse going off to war, but the rollercoaster highs and lows of what happens to her through and beyond the war kept the pages turning and my heart beating.
The places and characters, and a fair amount of research bring this historic fiction back to life and you feel like you are part of the story.
The book also gives an insight into life as a homeless person and in this modern day makes you pause and reflect.
Doris is a great read and I would recommend it to all age groups as a story of life.
Right from the first page where Doris is homeless and living on the street, I had to find out why.
I was not disappointed; H.O.WARD introduces you to Dorothy and takes you back to the beginning of her story. Dorothy is a young and dedicated nurse going off to war, but the rollercoaster highs and lows of what happens to her through and beyond the war kept the pages turning and my heart beating.
The places and characters, and a fair amount of research bring this historic fiction back to life and you feel like you are part of the story.
The book also gives an insight into life as a homeless person and in this modern day makes you pause and reflect.
Doris is a great read and I would recommend it to all age groups as a story of life.
January 5, 2022
I truly enjoyed this book.
Right from the first page where Doris is homeless and living on the street, I had to find out why.
I was not disappointed; H.O.WARD introduces you to Dorothy and takes you back to the beginning of her story. Dorothy is a young and dedicated nurse going off to war, but the rollercoaster highs and lows of what happens to her through and beyond the war kept the pages turning and my heart beating.
The places and characters, and a fair amount of research bring this historic fiction back to life and you feel like you are part of the story.
The book also gives an insight into life as a homeless person and in this modern day makes you pause and reflect.
Doris is a great read and I would recommend it to all age groups as a story of life.
JEM
Right from the first page where Doris is homeless and living on the street, I had to find out why.
I was not disappointed; H.O.WARD introduces you to Dorothy and takes you back to the beginning of her story. Dorothy is a young and dedicated nurse going off to war, but the rollercoaster highs and lows of what happens to her through and beyond the war kept the pages turning and my heart beating.
The places and characters, and a fair amount of research bring this historic fiction back to life and you feel like you are part of the story.
The book also gives an insight into life as a homeless person and in this modern day makes you pause and reflect.
Doris is a great read and I would recommend it to all age groups as a story of life.
JEM
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews