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Miss Purdy's Class
In the New Year of 1936, Gwen Purdy, aged 21, leaves her home to become a schoolteacher in a poor area of Birmingham. Her parents are horrified, but she has the support of her fiance, a recently ordained clergyman. Her early weeks in Birmingham are an eye-opener: at the school she faces a class of 52 children, some of whose homes are among Birmingham's very poorest. One of the teachers, the elderly Miss Drysdale, proves an inspiration, and Gwen begins to understand the appalling hardships endured by the children as she is drawn into their lives.
Little Lucy Fernandez is a 'cripple' and an epileptic. Through her, Gwen meets Daniel Fernandez, the elder brother in a fatherless household. The family has roots in a Wales' small Spanish community, and Daniel is a young man as fierce and passionate in his emotions as in his social concerns. Gwen falls in love, and is quickly engaged in his battle to win rights for the working classes. As the Brigades are mobilized to fight the Spanish Civil War, Gwen has to face the fact that Daniel has secrets in his past which she would rather not face up to...
Little Lucy Fernandez is a 'cripple' and an epileptic. Through her, Gwen meets Daniel Fernandez, the elder brother in a fatherless household. The family has roots in a Wales' small Spanish community, and Daniel is a young man as fierce and passionate in his emotions as in his social concerns. Gwen falls in love, and is quickly engaged in his battle to win rights for the working classes. As the Brigades are mobilized to fight the Spanish Civil War, Gwen has to face the fact that Daniel has secrets in his past which she would rather not face up to...
Paperback
First published February 23, 2005
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About the author
Annie Murray
51 books167 followersAnnie Murray was a ‘childhood writer.’ Her career was helped a great deal by belonging to Tindal Street Fiction Group in Birmingham and by winning the SHE/Granada TV Short Story Competition in 1991. She has published short stories in a number of anthologies as well as SHE magazine. Her first regional saga, Birmingham Rose appeared in 1995 and reached the Times bestseller list. She has since published more than a dozen others, including the ‘Cadbury books,’ Chocolate Girls and The Bells of Bournville Green, Family of Women and her latest, A Hopscotch Summer. Annie has four children and lives near Reading.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 31, 2021
"A heartfelt saga with strong emotional relationships at its heart"
A well structured, multi-layered storyline, written with real heart and feeling, by an author who is a consummate storyteller and knows exactly in which direction she is taking her readers, when they begin their journey. Rich in atmosphere and compelling; with the assured, observational and descriptive narrative and the excellent conversational yet intense dialogue, offering a real sense of time and place.
Middle class gentle woman, Gwen is unsettled. She feels that she should experience more of life outside of her own peer group, before simply marrying the local minister and settling down to a suburban life, as his wife.
She isn't exactly strong and openly defiant, in the face of mounting opposition from her parents, when she decides to take a teaching post in a Birmingham inner city school, but she does stand her ground, with some support from her fiance, albeit with their thoughts that, when faced with the despair and deprivation they were certain she would find, she would soon come running home.
She can't believe the amount of despair and destitution that she finds among her pupils and is tempted to give up at the first hurdle. She is however, spurred on by the optimsim and hope that exudes from her fellow teacher Lily Drysdale, who inspires her to seek changes in a system, where corporal punishment is meted out with great relish and parents only send their children to school because they are forced to and they would much rather their young offspring were out earning a wage, to go towards the family expenses.
Then, as now, Lily would be perceived as a great force for change, although a lone voice in the wilderness, often goes unheard. It wouldn't be for another couple of years, when World War II gathers pace, that attitudes begin to change and those wilderness voices start to be heard and recognised.
At first Gwen came across as a very dithery, lack lustre character, with no strength of character or backbone. I think that this would probably have been quite typical of the middle class ladies of the time, who set out on a mission to civilize and educate the poor masses, only to find themselves completely out of their depth and unable to cope outside of the cushion of their own, genteel social sphere.
I saw her character begin to grow, develop and fill out, as the story progressed, although we do still see her 'play' at Communist activities, with Daniel and his supporters and it isn't until she realises that they are passionate about fighting for the cause of the working classes, no matter whereabouts in the world that may be, that she finds the maturity and strength of character to stand back and make an assessment of where she might fit into the scheme of things.
Playing the hero's girl isn't helping the Communist party at all, so she vows to let Daniel go and fulfil his own destiny and whilst waiting for his return , sets about changing situations for her own young charges, in whatever small way she can.
Gwen has by now, had to abandon her former life completely, partly due to her parents prejudices and intransigencies in allowing her the freedom to live her genteel life, whilst continuing her work with the poor children. Also because she herself, has come to the conclusion that the cosseted life she has hitherto led and the sedate and superficially benefactory role she will be taking on by marrying the vicar, is not really what she wants.
She has begun to look at Ariadne, her landlady, in a different light as well. Gwen's first perception of Ariadne, was of a silly, simpering women, chasing any man she can. With her new and mature attitude, that perception changes completely and she is able to see through Ariadne's thin veneer of carelessness, to see the real person beneath. With this new insight and synergy between them, and with a little help from her small, new friends, Gwen is able to help Ariadne and offer both of them a happiness neither could have dreamed of...
The development of Gwen's character is slightly patchy, yet definitely authentic and becoming more strongly defined, as the novel reaches it's climax.
Overall, this was a good easy read, although very troubling. Not so much a book with a message, as a well researched and credible, cultural fiction insight into the lives of inner city people, in the mid 1930s.
A well structured, multi-layered storyline, written with real heart and feeling, by an author who is a consummate storyteller and knows exactly in which direction she is taking her readers, when they begin their journey. Rich in atmosphere and compelling; with the assured, observational and descriptive narrative and the excellent conversational yet intense dialogue, offering a real sense of time and place.
Middle class gentle woman, Gwen is unsettled. She feels that she should experience more of life outside of her own peer group, before simply marrying the local minister and settling down to a suburban life, as his wife.
She isn't exactly strong and openly defiant, in the face of mounting opposition from her parents, when she decides to take a teaching post in a Birmingham inner city school, but she does stand her ground, with some support from her fiance, albeit with their thoughts that, when faced with the despair and deprivation they were certain she would find, she would soon come running home.
She can't believe the amount of despair and destitution that she finds among her pupils and is tempted to give up at the first hurdle. She is however, spurred on by the optimsim and hope that exudes from her fellow teacher Lily Drysdale, who inspires her to seek changes in a system, where corporal punishment is meted out with great relish and parents only send their children to school because they are forced to and they would much rather their young offspring were out earning a wage, to go towards the family expenses.
Then, as now, Lily would be perceived as a great force for change, although a lone voice in the wilderness, often goes unheard. It wouldn't be for another couple of years, when World War II gathers pace, that attitudes begin to change and those wilderness voices start to be heard and recognised.
At first Gwen came across as a very dithery, lack lustre character, with no strength of character or backbone. I think that this would probably have been quite typical of the middle class ladies of the time, who set out on a mission to civilize and educate the poor masses, only to find themselves completely out of their depth and unable to cope outside of the cushion of their own, genteel social sphere.
I saw her character begin to grow, develop and fill out, as the story progressed, although we do still see her 'play' at Communist activities, with Daniel and his supporters and it isn't until she realises that they are passionate about fighting for the cause of the working classes, no matter whereabouts in the world that may be, that she finds the maturity and strength of character to stand back and make an assessment of where she might fit into the scheme of things.
Playing the hero's girl isn't helping the Communist party at all, so she vows to let Daniel go and fulfil his own destiny and whilst waiting for his return , sets about changing situations for her own young charges, in whatever small way she can.
Gwen has by now, had to abandon her former life completely, partly due to her parents prejudices and intransigencies in allowing her the freedom to live her genteel life, whilst continuing her work with the poor children. Also because she herself, has come to the conclusion that the cosseted life she has hitherto led and the sedate and superficially benefactory role she will be taking on by marrying the vicar, is not really what she wants.
She has begun to look at Ariadne, her landlady, in a different light as well. Gwen's first perception of Ariadne, was of a silly, simpering women, chasing any man she can. With her new and mature attitude, that perception changes completely and she is able to see through Ariadne's thin veneer of carelessness, to see the real person beneath. With this new insight and synergy between them, and with a little help from her small, new friends, Gwen is able to help Ariadne and offer both of them a happiness neither could have dreamed of...
The development of Gwen's character is slightly patchy, yet definitely authentic and becoming more strongly defined, as the novel reaches it's climax.
Overall, this was a good easy read, although very troubling. Not so much a book with a message, as a well researched and credible, cultural fiction insight into the lives of inner city people, in the mid 1930s.
March 29, 2018
When you've spent the past 38 years teaching and you're called Miss Purdy then you just have to read "Miss Purdy's Class". Spotted in a bargain book store, my hopes weren't high as I launched myself into it but I was very pleasantly surprised.
The story is set between the two World Wars and features Gwen Purdy, a middle class girl who decides to leave her comfortable life and fiance (a vicar) behind for a year while she teaches in Inner City Birmingham. Annie Murray describes the desperate conditions fairly graphically, following Gwen's journey into poverty, protest and the rise of communism.
It was a quick book to read, entertaining and it would seem that Miss Murray had undertaken a considerable amount of research to achieve a credible story. Very enjoyable.
The story is set between the two World Wars and features Gwen Purdy, a middle class girl who decides to leave her comfortable life and fiance (a vicar) behind for a year while she teaches in Inner City Birmingham. Annie Murray describes the desperate conditions fairly graphically, following Gwen's journey into poverty, protest and the rise of communism.
It was a quick book to read, entertaining and it would seem that Miss Murray had undertaken a considerable amount of research to achieve a credible story. Very enjoyable.
September 20, 2018
This was a great book. Just what I expected. It got a bit boring with all the union talk though.
March 28, 2011
This book was just amazing, couldn't put it down. The only thing i would say is altough i enjoyed learning about poltics in the 1936 it did go on abit, loved this book and would gladly read it again Miss Purdy has come almost a friend of mine.
May 1, 2022
Well, this was the second attempt at reading this. It was good and I got very engrossed in it. I love how the main character changed and grew. But, I was disappointed with the ending. It felt like it was rushed and left some questions unanswered. I would read more by Annie Murray, hopefully this is a one off ending
June 29, 2019
Great! This was a fantastic read for my first fiction read.
August 22, 2021
Good story with interesting characters, she always weaves a good tale.
September 17, 2021
What a Lovely story, was gripped from the very first page. Would highly recommend this book.
August 29, 2022
Enjoyed the book, some aspects of the character were annoying and the book and the linking if characters at the end made little sense to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2024
A very easy and enjoyable read. Credible descriptions of life in very difficult times, of poverty and social unrest.
Read
February 10, 2025An interesting read bit depressing though as set against strikes and poverty as well as the Spanish civil war. Also a love story but without a happy ending.
October 6, 2014
I really enjoyed the start of this book. Learning about a teachers life in 1936 as a teacher in Birmingham. Leading each character of her class and the story each child had to tell. The innocene of miss purdy and watching her find her feet. However the second half of the book is completely based around politics and the communist party and this part absolutely bored me to tears. If the book had just been about miss purdy and her life and her class I'd have enjoyed it a whole lot better
November 1, 2013
I really liked this book had some fascinating characters set in post war Britain and discusses politics, love and life. I really liked the fact that the ending doesnt answer all of your questions about the future so its not all hppy endings which was refreshing
August 10, 2011
It was fab, cant wait to read more of hers.
September 9, 2011
This is not a soppy romance book like the cover implies. It goes much deeper than that and deals with a big range of issues written in an interesting and page turning way.
January 1, 2013
Love all Annie Murrays books
June 26, 2014
enjoyed this
October 8, 2014
An enjoyable read. Would've rated it higher but for the latter part of the book being too entrenched in politics and communism!
November 10, 2014
Not the best.Disappointing ending.
July 2, 2015
A great read, interesting story, couldn't put it down
July 17, 2016
Interesting read and it did go on about politics a bit much. In hindsight I found miss purdy pretty selfish. She could have done more really
July 31, 2012
Really good book to learn about the social history of the time. Very impressed and loved it.
Read
August 13, 2017Easy holiday reading & the kind of book that I am happy to leave behind. Set pre second world war so some social history but not sure how reliable the setting is!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews