Where Sparrows Nest

by Sally Worboyes

In 1952 Eastenders are leaving their war-damaged homes and being settled into new places by the river - a new estate, with the luxury of electricity, hot water, gas cookers and proper bathrooms. Into the estate moves Edie Brown, a young war widow with a thirteen-year-old daughter, who works as a machinist in a clothing factory to eke out her small war pension.During one lunch break at the factory Edie discovers from a friend that her husband's cousin is coming from Turkey to stay with her until he finds a room to rent. He is coming from a small village in Kara - the very mention of which makes Edie's blood run cold. Kara was where her husband's boat crashed against the mountainous shoreline while searching for a missing British plane. All those aboard were listed as missing and presumed dead, drowned at sea.But the Turkish cousin will have a different story to tell...

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Sally Worboyes was born and grew up in Stepney with four brothers and a sister, and she brings some of the raw history of her own family background to her East End sagas. She now lives in Norfolk with her husband, with whom she has three grown-up children. She has written several plays which have been broadcast on Anglia Television and Radio Four. She also adapted her own play and novel, WILD HOPS, as a musical, The Hop Pickers.

Reviews

[Elaine Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice story which brings to life the East End of London during the time (1950's) more and more families were moving out of the city into the suburbs such as Dagenham & Basildon etc.
The tales involves a new community being built and friendships made from all walks of life and nationalities with a few skeletons in cupboards to come to light and a slightly unexpected strange ending.
Worth a read.

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, I don't usually write bad reviews, but this book just wasn't me. I struggled to finish it and didn't find it inspiring. Also it ended abruptly, so I assume there is a sequel.

[Asmaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read not as captivating as some of others but good