The Chainmakers

by Helen Spring

Set against the blistering heat and grinding poverty of the chainshops of the Black Country, this compelling love story charts the struggle of young Anna Gibson to forge a new life from the remnants of betrayal by her lover and a tragic marriage of convenience.A simple offer of work as a model proves to be the catalyst for complete change, taking Anna from the sunny beaches and liberal attitudes of an artist's colony in Brittany to the struggle to survive and make good in the immigrant community of downtown New York.Anna learns her lessons well, and she finds herself still making chains, but now chains of restaurants, leading to wealth if not happiness. Then comes Prohibition, and Anna's decisions involve her in a gangland feud which threatens her family and friends in a frightening web of intrigue and violence.How do we recover from the agony of a lover's betrayal? What is true love anyway? Can we befriend lawbreakers without getting hurt?These questions are at the core of this unusual and compelling book. Written with humour, colour and passion, Helen Spring weaves an absorbing tale of obsession and complex emotions, and their far-reaching consequences.

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1997

Reviews

[Mik Hetu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Helen Spring is a true storyteller!

99 percent of this book flows through your eyes and into your mind as easily and comfortably as the thoughts of a daydream. The author writes with enough skill that 99 percent of the time you read and believe the fiction as fact, like you’re the proverbial fly on the wall absorbing it all.

Her characters are distinct, complex, and layered with maturity as the story progresses. She has villains with redeeming graces and heroes with faults, and she portrays both in wholly believable fashion. She made me care about what happened to the characters not simply out of curiosity but because I LIKED them as if they were real people, my friends or acquaintances in real life. That’s a neat trick, and it is books like this one that fuel a reader’s desire to search out another good book. This is why I’ve been telling friends who like to read to give this author a try whether or not her books are in their favorite genre.

[Ginger Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful rags to riches story! I loved it!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m obviously in the minority here. I found the book predictable and average at best and really don’t understand the rave reviews.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Set against the blistering heat and grinding poverty of the chainshops of the Black Country, this compelling love story charts the struggle of young Anna Gibson to forge a new life from the remnants of betrayal by her lover and a tragic marriage of convenience.A simple offer of work as a model proves to be the catalyst for complete change, taking Anna from the sunny beaches and liberal attitudes of an artist's colony in Brittany to the struggle to survive and make good in the immigrant community of downtown New York.Anna learns her lessons well, and she finds herself still making chains, but now chains of restaurants, leading to wealth if not happiness. Then comes Prohibition, and Anna's decisions involve her in a gangland feud which threatens her family and friends in a frightening web of intrigue and violence.How do we recover from the agony of a lover's betrayal? What is true love anyway? Can we befriend lawbreakers without getting hurt?These questions are at the core of this unusual and compelling book. Written with humour, colour and passion, Helen Spring weaves an absorbing tale of obsession and complex emotions, and their far-reaching consequences.”

What a wonderful marvelous treasure of a read! I had no idea what a “chainmaker” was and was totally amazed that little children worked that hard making them! I guess I could compare it to the coal mines here in American ---- way, way, way back years ago! But the children were younger when they started working there. The story is of a little girl, growing up, being given choices – became a model for a man who liked here “dancing on the bellows”, to a model in France for a few months for a farm of artists, coming home, marrying and going off to America for a new start with her husband. The plot was well plotted, the book was beautifully written, story just great and one I couldn’t put down once I started!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Spring paints a vivid picture of the impoverished life of Black Country in the industrial Midlands of England. As well follow Anna’s story, we could almost feel the heat and experience the hardship of the working conditions in the chain shops.

Anna takes a courageous move and leaves her hometown every weekend to pose as a model for a painter. The extra bit of money makes a difference to the family’s income. From this experience, she is offered the chance to travel to Brittany and model again for a small group of artists.

As a naïve young girl, her perception of love causes heartache and results in her unexpected departure for New York City. Later on, we continue to cheer for Anna as she faces the struggles as a new immigrant.

When Prohibition arrives, Anna and her family face even more unexpected challenges involving not only the health of her family, but her successful businesses as well.

Overall, Anna’s romantic life is an integral part of The Chainmakers and how she deals with the men in her life makes the novel a page turner.

Thank you GoodReads for the book.

[Margaret Mcnamee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
I enjoyed the storyline and the characters and particularly liked the setting in the 'chainmaker foundries' in England. How can we relate to poverty so significant that boots and coats are a luxury and medicine for sick children is not a given?

I felt the story lines in England seemed more real and the descriptions more vivid and found the second half of the book to be less engaging. The whole situation with the mobsters during prohibition seemed too superficial and lacked intensity, and I found it difficult to believe that the main character held on to her 'idea of love' with a man she knew for such a short time, a man who jilted her, when her husband displayed such obvious love and support for years.

[Allyson Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Spring is a wonderful storyteller. Having been enthralled with another one of her books; Strands of Gold, I decided to read this one to see if it was a one off. I am happy to say it was not.. Ms Spring can weave a tale as any best seller and her characters are always interesting and believable. I could not put this book down. it shows really good understanding of poverty in the Midlands of England as well as the struggles for immigrants in the USA . I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading other novels by Helen Spring.

[Emiley Allen Bowes · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS A griping tale of the rise from poverty to being the top of society. Luck, both good and bad effect major changes in the status quo for an impoverished chainmaker. A broken heart, a pregnancy, a forced marriage and a move to America ; all lead to a new life for Anna and Clancy. A brush with the mob, leads to the culmination of their dreams for family. Highly enjoyable, deeply disturbing, and never dull. Thanks to goodreads for ARC.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion is just that...mine...and completely unbiased.

When I first started reading this I thought that the Black Country dialect would bog me down, but I soon became accustomed to it, and the remarkable story-telling by Ms. Spring soon had me captivated. This is historical fiction at it's very best and should not be missed!

[Susan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Historical Fiction read. I liked the early setting of the Black Country in England. The rags to riches story was well done. The characters were easy to relate to and the story was enjoyable.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not one of those books that you rush through to see what's going to happen next. It's a book you savor. It's a wonderful story, and I loved it.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[J Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very riveting story. Hard to put down. Glad I won it on Goodreads.

[Jo Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.